From the Director’s Desk: Landis Trails, New Map and Guide

By Fred Breglia, Executive Director

Fred for newsletter

Over the years, both hikers and ramblers have discovered that Landis has something for everyone. Whether they enjoy strolling through our gardens and collections or exploring the more challenging terrain, visitors have found countless ways to experience the roughly 14 miles of trails at the Arboretum.

An easy beginner’s trail meanders through the Labyrinth, Shanti Vun Meditation and Stonehenge Gardens, and continues around the Queen V. Trail. Stop and sit in the Meditation Garden or beside the Bog Garden for a memorable photo.

More moderate hiking can be found nearby along the Willow Pond Trail (which encompasses The Miller Native Plant Trail) and into the Old Growth Forest along the Woodland Trail. Both of these trails offer interpretive signage, many with QR codes.

Other moderate trails include the historic Fred Lape Trail, which takes one through many of the original collections planted by Landis founder Fred Lape. Along this trail one can see and learn about oaks, beech, rhododendron, willows, larch, pine, and a grouping of “Choice Conifers.”

Experienced hikers will enjoy our more challenging trail deep into the Old Growth section of the Arboretum. This area has not been logged or otherwise managed, so it’s a glimpse into pre-colonial America.

After sustaining some significant flood damage, the Waterfall Trail has been closed to the public for several years. However, plans are to reopen it in the spring of 2023. Visitors will again be able to view the largest waterfall on the Landis holdings. In addition, a 2022 NEEF Grant award will allow Landis to create a parking area at the trailhead and to purchase tools for required trail work. This easy trail is a wildlife hotspot and home to many native plants and ferns.

Over the past decade, the Arboretum has developed new gardens, trails, picnic areas, parking lots, and points of interest not shown on our current map. Landis is a recent recipient of an Iroquois Community Grant award, which will be used to update our trail maps and guides. Landis’ new Trail Map and Guide, available in 2023, will note all of these improvements. The guide will also include trail descriptors such as distance and difficulty. Points of interest and picnic areas along the trails will be highlighted. The new guide will indicate parking areas, pet waste stations, sculptures, points of interest for viewing and photography, bluebird nest boxes, and wildlife observation areas.

Since its inception in 1951, Landis, like its greenery, has been growing. Our new guide is just another measure of that growth!


Fall 2022

Volume 40 , Number 3

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