Bartlett Arboretum

Belle Plaine, Kansas, United States

---

Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, Kansas, was established in 1910 when Dr. Walter E. Bartlett, a local physician and naturalist, acquired 15 acres of treeless prairie land along Euphrates Creek.

He transformed the area by planting a wide variety of indigenous and non-indigenous trees and shrubs, creating one of the few tree-lined parks in early 20th-century Kansas. The Arboretum is notable for its terraced gardens, Champion Trees, and a serene lake that once served as a haven for waterfowl.

Over the years, the arboretum evolved into a cherished community treasure, with traditions such as the Tulip Time event celebrating thousands of blooming tulips each spring. After Dr. Bartlett's death in 1937, his son Glenn and wife Margaret continued to nurture the arboretum, expanding the tree collection and restoring the grounds through challenging periods including wartime closures.

Today, the Bartlett Arboretum is a privately owned sanctuary offering peaceful walking paths, diverse flora, and community events like concerts and weddings, maintained by dedicated volunteers who uphold its legacy as a historic and educational natural space in Kansas.