For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum

SOME THINGS ARE WORTH PRESERVING

Established in 1970, the 383 picturesque acres of For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum have been wowing visitors, protecting wildlife, and nurturing the environment. Forbes and Martha Merkley donated this former dairy farm to create For-Mar.

Scattered throughout the grounds are meadows, ponds, and plenty of trees. Hikers enjoy over 7 miles of trails and our collection of gardens. Our expansive 116-acre Arboretum is Level II Accredited by ArbNet and contains over 1800 woody specimens representing 157 species (as of 2015). Today, you can celebrate the spirit of Forbes and Martha by exploring the wetlands, fields, and forests of this great facility. Rich educational experiences are available throughout our grounds.

In our Visitor’s Center, get a hands-on experience with live animals and learn what’s necessary to keep an ecosystem balanced and healthy. If you’re an educator, take your school on a field trip to explore Kearsley Creek as it winds through the park or invite For-Mar into your classroom. Sign up for a program with one of our naturalists today and learn how you can experience the great outdoors in a whole new way.

For-Mar is home to Nature’s Superheroes, The Preservers. Visit their Superhero Headquarters – our new barrier-free treehouse. To download their comic book stories, visit our brochures and flyers download page.

Accessibility In This Park

It is our goal to provide facilities and programs to accommodate and involve all of our visitors through continued improvements in all of our parks. All parks have varying levels of accessibility. At this park you will find:

Handicap parking spaces
Paved pathway from parking area to the Visitor’s Center
Paved pathway from Visitor’s Center to the Pavilion
Paved pathway from the parking lot to the Barrier free Treehouse
Accessible bathrooms inside Visitor’s Center during Visitor’s center hours
Handicap parking spaces and a paved pathway in the Sugarbush Area

For-Mar Park Rules

Photography Guidelines for For-Mar

“One of our favorite hiking spots! We also have done the lighted holiday walk in the winter and plan to again this year. Got to love all the activities they put on AND the butterfly house and little educational nature center! “

Facebook Review

“A fun place to go with enthusiastic staff to help and ask questions to.”

Facebook Review

“It’s always a great time at For Mar! I’ve done multiple night hikes and have come several times during the day – there is always so much to do and see. Highly recommend!!”

Google Review

“Our whole family loves For Mar! You can hike or take a class. There is something for everyone!”

Facebook Review

“I recommend everything about For-Mar!”

Facebook Review