New Page 1

Tune into Nature

From Highway 51, turn east onto St. Augustine and follow St. Augustine to the end. Parking is available at the Northbay Club parking lot.

For information about the Simmons Arboretum or the Arboretum Extravaganza, call 601-853-9109 or 601-856-7116.

The Simmons Arboretum was created from 10 acres of land donated to the City of Madison by Dr. and Mrs.Walter Simmons. The arboretum was evolved from a raw tract of land full of numerous species of trees, shrubs, and plants to an educational development and natural walking area for all citizens of Madison County. Local Boy Scout troops have constructed seven major bridges as Eagle Scout community projects. Nearly a mile of trails has been cleared and completed with slag material. Water has been piped in, and a parking lot has been paved. Plants and trees growing within the park have been identified and catalogued.

Ongoing plans address such programs as fund raising, planting phases, design, and identification and labeling of each species. A unique garden using paving bricks is included in the plans. These bricks are available to the public at a cost of $30 each, and they can be engraved with the purchaser’s or honoree’s name. More than 300 have already been sold. The Simmons Arboretum Committee hopes to purchase an adjacent 10 acre plot for future expansion.