East Texas Arboretum — Attraction in Athens

It looks nice from a distance. We arrived to a large parking lot with only 1 car and an open gate leading down a paved road, so we drove down the path looking at the first few areas to a veterans memorial with a small parking lot. As we pulled into the lot, a man in a cadet pulled up asking if we were members and insisting that we return to the front parking lot and sign in at the office. We were unaware that there was even an office. We asked if we could drive there rest of the path after we check in, and he said yes. We pulled back to the main lot, saw no signage or instructions until parked and on a walking path to the building is a small sign saying “all visitors check in office”. Of course, a sign at the entrance of the arboretum or the parking lot would have seemed more appropriate.

Two of us went to the office to sign in. We signed the log and pointed out that they might want to put a sign instructing visitors to stop at the office first at the parking lot entrance. The clerk said “No, we have a sign here by the building” … which obviously wasn’t doing the job. Wanting to just resume out driving tour, we asked where we should drive to and we were told, “no - this is a walking tour only”. I am on crutches, after breaking my leg weeks ago and my father is unable to walk very far due to cardiac issues — so I pointed out that the man in the cart said that we could continue driving the path after we signed in. He spoke up, stating that they often allow people who can’t walk the path to drive. The attendant said “no, this is just ac walking tour … but we have a wheel chair you can use”. The walking path was obviously hilly and would be challenging for my 75 year old mother to walk it an impossible for her to also push my father in a wheelchair. I couldn’t assist either of them due to my crutches. We pointed out our obvious disabilities and asked if there was no way for us to drive along the road. The clerk said no and we left. The only other people there (that we could see) was a couple having a picnic under a tree. Only 1 other car in the parking lot so it’s not like they were busy and our presence on the road would have been a risk to others or disturbed others. Since the one employee said that people were allowed to drive if they couldn’t walk, but the other employee wouldn’t allow it— it clearly felt like they simply didn’t want us there. I see that their website sites handicap accessible — the office is accessible and a limited area of the path is accessible but the vast majority of the arboretum is not what I would consider accessible and they are unwilling to provide even the most basic accommodations.

I would encourage anyone who donates to the arboretum, or controls grants/funding which they benefit from to withdraw support until they allow everyone to participate. Any government grants or public money should be cancelled until...

Doesn't matter time of year, such gorgeously serene hike through the arboretum and flower gardens. Granted, it was super humid today, draining 3 liters of water tween my 2 pups and myself, yet, no complaints as the 🌲 canopy keep kept us cool with the gentle breeze. The staff are super friendly, answering questions and eager to offer any assistance needed. And the most gregarious staff member?? Why, the kitty, Tansy. He wanted to to take the hike with us until he heard my pups howling to meet said Tansy, then thought better about that idea. The trails are kept up so nicely, even painting some of the roots that could be a tripping hazard, as orange. The 2 mile hike is pups, kitties and able bodied ppl only, nothing with wheels could or should or are allowed (bikes) to traverse. However, the gardens, the incredible chimes, the 🏠 and school are all paved areas which lead to 2 different bridges (which ya gotta read about how the water seen is ALWAYS there, drought or not,...

The arboretum and botanical garden is pretty awesome!....There's a short hiking trail and 2 mile hiking trail (we detoured to the 2 mile one) Before you start your hike there's an office to pay the small entry fee and you can buy waters and or use the restroom before your nature hike. (i wore comfy walking shoes- definitely need those). It was an 🌥over cast day and sprinkled a tad bit, nothing too dramatic. We came upon a BOG overlook platform to walk on to see a panoramic view. below is a stream/swamp , i could see what looked like raccoon🐾 paw prints by the water and other animal prints were visible too. Shrub was flattened, probably wild game brushed thru there or they used shrub as bedding... Definitely lots of nature here! Our last stop was the Veterans memorial wall of Henderson County and a view of a cabin and other preserved buildings (very educational and fun for all) the cool pine forest was awesome to walk into, i see why people love photo shoots here,...