A tiny piece of garden heaven remains open during the COVID-19 pandemic

LA Arboretum and Botanical Garden still open during pandemic

Many Southern Californians who are cooped up right now, maybe surprised to learn that the LA Arboretum and Botanical Garden is still open.

LOS ANGELES - A woman practices Tai Chi in the shade while her daughter reads a book, ten feet away, on the grass.

Peacocks hang out, while people walk under the shade of trees.

The Los Angeles Arboretum is open, in a limited fashion, and only with pre-purchased tickets online. People have to stay on the walkways, while the trails, benches, and water fountains are off-limits.

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But with 2 1/2 miles of walkways, twenty feet wide, there’s plenty of space for safe social distancing, explains CEO, Richard Schulhof.

They are limiting the number of people coming in, and staggering the arrival times, to assure there’s enough physical space for visitors.

Dora Nunez, the Head of Communications with LA County Parks adds that the Arboretum allows for safe following of LA County Health guidelines.

One of the essential needs of quarantined residents is exercise and options for mental wellness, which is why their parks are open, except for those leading to the trailheads.

You can get more information about the Arboretum at arboretum.org and to find out which LA County facilities are open go to parks.lacounty.gov/covid-19.