The Master Plan

"Our success is everything you see, made possible because of donors like you!"

In the half-century since its founding, The James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation and its dedicated supporters have managed to transform a barren farm into a rich and diverse landscape that hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy and learn from each year. For its next 50 years (and beyond), the Foundation is committed to thoughtful, planned growth that will improve the visitor experience while also respecting the natural habitats the Arboretum supports.

In 2003, the Foundation enlisted the help of leading landscape designer Francois Goffinet to create a long-term “Master Plan” that would guide improvements to the Arboretum over the next several decades. The Master Plan, which covers every area of the grounds, aims to create welcoming and engaging outdoor spaces that will help visitors cultivate stronger relationships with the environment. This Master Plan was completed in 2016 and in 2019 the start of a new site plan began with public engagement and completed in 2020. [Current Site Plan]

See our Accomplishments to learn more about projects we have completed or Current Initiatives to read about what we’re currently working on.