August 26, 2026
From the Dawes Arboretum
NEWARK, OH – The Dawes Arboretum broke ground on its $17 million Welcome Center on the bright morning of Aug. 21. The brand-new approximately 29,000 square foot Welcome Center will centralize accessibility and sustainability. It will serve as a greeting hub and point of information for The Arboretum’s visitors, members and donors.
New amenities include a cafe, indoor and outdoor seating areas, a larger gift shop, exhibit spaces and triple the number of restrooms.
This project was fully funded by The Arboretum’s endowment, trustees and staff. Dawes is investing in Dawes for the benefit of the public.
In the new Welcome Center, visitors will be able to find ADA-accessible bathrooms, an adult changing station, ramps, an accessible reception counter and a scenic outdoor deck accessible for all. The designer of this project is MA Design.
Additionally, The Arboretum is pursuing LEED and SITES certifications at the silver level to demonstrate its commitment to a sustainable project.
“The board of trustees and I are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to making this new Welcome Center possible. Breaking ground today marks over a decade of planning, and we are excited and proud to soon offer a beautiful, accessible, new space with many upgraded visitor amenities. We can’t wait for its completion in Spring of 2028,” said Executive Director Stephanie Crockatt.
The project is estimated to take between 18-24 months to complete, and a projected grand opening is in the spring of 2028.
The current Visitors Center will be reimagined as a Discovery Center with educational and programming opportunities.
“Sustainability is integral to the new Welcome Center because it is central to the mission of Dawes. Thoughtful decisions about the site, building and materials reflect Dawes’ longstanding commitment to conservation and stewardship while also prioritizing the visitor experience. While the project is pursuing LEED and SITES certifications, its sustainability story goes much deeper, creating a building that feels authentic to Dawes, its mission and its sense of place,” said Jessica Glorius-Dangelo, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, LFA, Fitwel Amb. SITES AP Associate, Sustainability Manager, Project Manager of MA Design.
To keep up to date with the Welcome Center, visit its web page.
Founded in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes, The Dawes Arboretum is a living museum celebrating the history and beauty of trees and nature that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2029. Located in Newark, Ohio (30 miles east of Columbus), The Dawes Arboretum offers paths, trails and boardwalks to explore along with historical and art exhibitions and educational programming. The Dawes Arboretum is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and is open daily. Admission is free to members and $10/adults, $5/children ages 5-15 and free/children under 5 years of age. Free and reduced options exist. Additional information on visiting, programming, history and membership is available at www.dawesarb.org. Follow Dawes Arboretum on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @thedawesarboretum.
