Crabapples, magnolias, pears and plums are in glorious bloom now at the Louisville Arboretum. Looping gravel paths invite you to wander about and examine the 212 tree species that thrive in this small reserve.

Each tree is labeled with its common and scientific name and information about its mature height and spread. Homeowners planning their landscaping would find a stroll around the trees both fun and informative.

Although the grand opening of the Arboretum was held on April 20, 1996, we didn’t even know it existed until last December when a rare curved-bill thrasher was reported. The thrasher hung out with robins, blue jays, and house finches in a grove of crabapples that retained fruit all winter. According to eBird, (database for bird sightings) 47 species have been reported here, including cedar waxwings and Cooper’s and red-tailed hawks. We went to watch birds, but we keep returning to enjoy the changing seasons and to learn more about trees.

A network of trails starts at the bridge over a drainageway. The trails criss-cross around the western end of the Arboretum and around a gazebo, allowing you to make figure eights, circles, and many permutations. For a longer loop of about a quarter-mile, walk southeast past a sculpture commemorating pets lost in the Marshallville Fire and follow the slanting path down to the drainageway.

The path then circles back up to the bridge and the parking lot with the ditch on the left. For a still longer walk, you can take the trail at the southeast end of this loop and follow sidewalks to various points of interest in southeast Louisville. Check the online map at louisvilleco.gov for details.

The man-made drainageway conducts upstream stormwater away from neighborhoods to the north. The Mile High Flood District is currently reconstructing the channel to reduce erosion and hopes to finish the project by next month. Later, the area will be revegetated, and more trees will be planted.

Although water will not flow year-round, we look forward to the sound of cascades next spring.

We also look forward to seeing the Japanese pagoda trees bloom next August and to the maples turning red next fall.

The Arboretum is located between the Louisville Recreation Center and the Police Station. The trail system begins just south of a large parking lot at West Via Appia and Eldorado Lane. Picnic areas and restrooms are available, and tennis courts, soccer fields and a skatepark are nearby.

Ruth Carol and Glenn Cushman are the authors of “Boulder Hiking Trails,” available from Amazon.