Early this summer our College and the University requested, and agreed to sponsor, the development of a new Master Plan for The Arboretum. This is being led by two distinguished firms with a strong history of work at the UK campus: Sasaki and Lord Aeck Sargent. The latter is also the architect for our Visitor Center project. Arboretum staff and leadership have been very much a part of this process. When the plan is completed, scheduled to be near the end of September, we are optimistic that it will offer an inspiring and ambitious vision for our future. 

Completion of the Master Plan is one prerequisite for moving forward with the final design for expanding and renovating the Visitor Center. You may recall that earlier this year Visitor Center planning was frozen pending resolution of significant budget questions. We hope to have all these initial steps resolved within a few weeks, then move forward with the long-awaited final planning steps for expansion and renovation of the Visitor Center.