Today, the Arboretum encompasses approximately 750 acres of preserved open space in the city of New London and the town of Waterford in southeastern Connecticut, including the Connecticut College Campus. The Arboretum serves a multitude of functions for the College and the greater New London community. For the college academic program, especially Botany, Biology, Zoology and Environmental Studies, it is a living laboratory just a few steps from the classroom and dormitory. Generations of faculty and students have used the forests, meadows and wetlands for teaching and research. For the entire student body, the Arboretum provides a welcome connection with the natural world, a place to get away from the stress of classroom and dorm.
Parts are available for running, and all trails are suitable for hiking or casual strolling.
The Arboretum is open everyday, dawn to dusk, and serves as park for the surrounding communities. Dog walkers, parents with young children, and office workers out for a quite lunch break are all frequent users. Visitors to the Native Plant Collection will find a notice board and a free self-guided tour brochure at the main entrance on Williams Street. Additional information is available at the Arboretum Office in 103 Olin Science Center directly north of the main college entrance from Rt. For visitors arriving after office hours, a variety of informational brochures are available on a rack outside the office door.