The Brenton Arboretum

Iowa, United States

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The Brenton Arboretum in Dallas Center, Iowa, is a 140-acre nonprofit arboretum founded in 1997 by Buz and Sue Brenton and their family on land originally homesteaded by their ancestors in 1853.

The arboretum was designed by Anthony Tyznik, former landscape architect at the Morton Arboretum, to showcase trees and shrubs grouped by species with expansive views of native prairie grasses and wildflower meadows. Featuring over 2,600 trees and shrubs representing about 500 species, hybrids, and cultivars, the arboretum includes ponds, streams, walking trails, a labyrinth, and a nature play area for children.

It provides a tranquil natural setting with hilly terrain, water features, benches for rest, and a focus on conservation, education, and public enjoyment. The arboretum is free to visit and welcomes dogs on a leash, serving as a peaceful retreat close to Des Moines while honoring the Brenton family’s legacy of environmental stewardship.