Grayson Arboretum | Trees, trails & quiet beauty in Wilkes-Barre
Grayson Arboretum in Wilkes-Barre, PA is a peaceful green space on the Wilkes University campus. This semi-secret botanical garden offers a quiet place to slow down in the middle of the city. Grayson Arboretum runs from South Street through campus to Northampton Street. It begins near Wilkes’ Bluestone Labyrinth, creating an easy starting point for a relaxing walk.
Opened in 2001, Grayson Arboretum has long served as a campus park for students. It provides a calm place to study, explore and enjoy nature between classes. The space is also open to the public, making it a welcoming stop for locals and visitors.
The arboretum features more than 450 species of trees and shrubs. Many of the plants are labeled, adding an educational element to the experience. Some species are native, rare or unique to the area. That makes the arboretum one of only a few places where visitors can see them locally. The park was developed over years of hands-on work and planting, led by Patty Gilmour. It was officially revealed during a ribbon cutting after years of building the collection.
Grayson Arboretum in Wilkes-Barre delivers a quiet campus escape with rare trees, botanical variety and a relaxing place to wander.