Lincoln, Neb. — Maxwell Arboretum, one of the most visited places on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus, will be temporarily closed to the public while improvements are made to the space.
Improvements will include paving the walking trails in the five-acre area and replacing a footbridge. The project will also include enhanced lighting, new signage, and more clearly designated entrances, said Dan Trotter, director of facilities for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The improvements are intended to enhance the safety and accessibility of the area, Trotter said. In particular, the paved footpaths will make the area accessible for walkers, strollers and wheelchairs.
“Maxwell Arboretum is a beautiful and extremely popular place to visit, and we believe the enhancements will allow more campus visitors to enjoy it,” Trotter said.
Work began earlier this summer and is expected to be largely complete this fall, with the exception of the footbridge, which will be added in the winter. The design team is working with University Landscape Services to ensure that no healthy trees are harmed during construction.
The arboretum improvements are part of a larger effort to enhance the greenspace on East Campus. Renovations to Legacy Meadows -- the greenspace between the Nebraska East Union, Dinsdale Family Learning Commons and the Food Industry Complex, which houses the UNL Dairy Store – will begin later on this year and will include the addition of outdoor seating and gathering areas and ADA-accessible walkways.
Named for former Nebraska Extension Forester Earl G. Maxwell, Maxwell Arboretum is a five-acre area on UNL’s East Campus made up of collections of trees, shrubs, vines and perennial plants.
During construction, the Backyard Farmer Garden will remain open to the public.