The park was established in 1962 on land donated by the Cox family, who were former owners of the Dayton Daily News.
The arboretum's collection features more than 3,000 trees and shrubs representing hundreds of unique species.
It is home to the Bell Children's Garden, a space specifically designed to teach children about ecosystems through interactive features.
The park's water feature system is engineered to utilize natural drainage patterns, showcasing sustainable landscaping techniques.
The facility maintains a permanent herbarium used for tracking local plant health and climate-related shifts in regional flora.
The Arboretum’s 'Tree Tower' reaches 65 feet in height, offering a canopy-level perspective of the grounds.
The grounds host a dedicated bonsai collection, which is rotated seasonally to ensure the health of the specimens.
Cox Arboretum MetroPark is a 174-acre botanical preserve located in Dayton, Ohio, managed by Five Rivers MetroParks. The grounds feature a diverse collection of woody plants, specialized gardens, and a series of ponds interconnected by a stream system. Distinctive installations include the Victoria Stuart tree tower, which provides elevated views of the landscape, and a butterfly house operational during the warmer months. The park serves as a research and educational site, offering various workshops, native plant sales, and seasonal horticultural displays. Its primary collections focus on trees, shrubs, and ornamental gardens designed for the Midwestern climate. The park includes the Mead Tree Nursery, which supports regional reforestation and plant propagation efforts. Visitors can access a network of paved and natural surface trails winding through forested sections and open meadows. The site functions as a regional center for botanical conservation and public environmental literacy.
The elevated observation deck of the Victoria Stuart Tree Tower for panoramic shots of the canopy and landscape.
Download the park's digital trail map before arrival, as cell service can be intermittent in wooded sections.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the transition between gravel paths and uneven natural trails.
Visit the visitor center first to check for any temporary trail closures or specific horticultural displays currently in bloom.
Attempting to explore the entire 174-acre site in a single hour; focus on specific zones like the water garden or the tree tower.
The Butterfly House is seasonal and typically closed during the late autumn and winter months.
Stay on marked trails to protect the delicate root systems and plant specimens; do not pick flowers or collect plant samples.
