The North Carolina Arboretum, a 434-acres public garden located in Asheville, began re-opening its trails on Saturday, May 9, in conjunction with the North Carolina’s lifting of its Stay at Home orders and phased reopening plan.
Similar to Governor Cooper’s reopening plans, the Arboretum will be opening its campus in several phases, beginning with trails only.
Phase 1 – Beginning Saturday, May 9
- The Arboretum will limit the number of cars on-site in compliance with the Governor’s 50% capacity order to ensure that social distancing protocols can be managed. Please be aware that if you arrive to the Arboretum and our capacity is full, you will have to wait until space opens up or come back at another time.
- The Arboretum will continue to operate under its traditional Fall/Winter Property Hours schedule. The property will close at 7 p.m. and the incoming gate will close one hour prior at 6 p.m.
- Only credit cards will be accepted for parking fee payment at the Gatehouse.
- Both buildings and the Bonsai Exhibition Garden will remain closed. Several portable restrooms will be available on campus for use.
- Parking will only be available at two locations: the Recreation Parking Lot located near the Gatehouse and the parking lot located near the Production Greenhouse. Campus
- Police will direct any overflow parking along Greenhouse Way. The main parking area is under heavy construction and will be inaccessible during this first phase of trail access.
- Guests are encouraged to use the trail system only at this time; garden access may be restricted in certain places and accessible only by trails. One-way routes will also be employed in designated areas to minimize contact with others and control social distancing.
- Groups of 10 or more are discouraged. Please continue to stay six feet apart from others when on the trails and in the gardens.
- Personal face coverings are encouraged while on the Arboretum property. Please follow all CDC guidelines regarding proper sanitation and hygiene measures; do not leave your home if you are showing any symptoms related to COVID-19, including a dry cough, fever, shortness of breath.
- All on-site programming, including classes and events, remain suspended. Online classes are available for registration via the Arboretum’s website.
As the Arboretum monitors the response and interactions on campus during “Phase 1,” information on next steps and subsequent Phases in conjunction with the state and the Arboretum’s own safety measuring process will be released to the public.
For more information, please visit ncarboretum.org.