The Dallas Arboretum was named the mayor’s Park of the Month.
The designation comes at the same time as Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s launch of a new pass teenagers can use to enter Dallas’ cultural and educational attractions during the summer for free.
In May, the green space announced the return of ZimSculpt, a world-renowned collection of modern Zimbabwean sculptures.The exhibit runs through Sunday, Aug. 8.
“The Mayor’s #ParkOfTheMonth for June is the @dallasarboretum! It is a crown jewel of the city and one of the top arboretums in the world,” Johnson said in a post to his Twitter account on June 30. “Last month, I kicked off the launch of the ZimSculpt exhibit, which features beautiful stone sculptures from Zimbabwe. Check it out soon!”
Johnson also shared his thoughts on the arboretum’s aesthetics to NBC DFW.
“Personally, I’m struck by the beauty and by the craftsmanship required to bring these extraordinary sculptures to life,” Johnson said. “And at a time when we’ve been left largely with our own thoughts and honestly, constant anxieties, this artwork means more to us now than just the ability to appreciate the technical skill which obviously a lot when into. It represents a different way of seeing our world.”
The arboretum is said to promote a number of important values in its mission statement.
“The mission of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is to build and maintain a public venue that promotes the art, enjoyment and knowledge of horticulture, while providing opportunities for education and research,” the mission statement said. “We are committed to excellence, good management and fiscal responsibility.”
The Dallas Arboretum is a botanic garden that welcomed nearly one million visitors from all 50 states and 90 countries in 2018. The new pass is designed for those between ages 12 and 17. The new pass gives free access to up to three friends or family members of the participant during the month of July.
The arboretum’s mask policy has also been altered. Masks are required for indoor activities but not for activities taking place outdoors. The Dallas Arboretum is located on the shores of White Rock Lake. The arboretum is 66 acres and boasts a science laboratory.
