Joy Path: Perfect for an Early Evening Stroll

Joy Path is named for the Arboretum's founder, Joy Morton, who enjoyed walking its length from his Thornhill mansion south to Lake Marmo. Every evening, after returning from the city, Joy Morton would stroll along this 0.3 mile path, still in hat and city clothes, to refresh himself with country sights and sounds. Along the path are perennial gardens, native woods, plant collections, and wonderful specimen plants, including some of the Arboretum's oldest plantings that were installed near the Thornhill mansion before the start of the Arboretum.

Spring is an especially good time to experience Joy Path. The wonderful colors and fragrance exhibited by the many flowering trees, shrubs, and perennials situated along the upper portion of this path make it a multi-sensory experience. Harbingers of spring, such as Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii), Mrs. FDR peony (Paeonia 'Mrs. FDR'), and lenne saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana 'Lennei'), are here for your enjoyment.

As you proceed further south into lower Joy Path, you'll encounter majestic oaks and walnuts underplanted with redbud trees. A few noteworthy specimen trees include the Miyabe maple (Acer miyabei 'Morton'), cucumbertree (Magnolia acuminata), and a multi-stemmed persimmon (Diospyros virginiana).