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THE ARBORETUM

An Arboretum is an area devoted to specimen planting of trees and shrubsas distinct from a forest, nursery or park. It is in a sense, an outdoor museum of trees and shrub. There are many Arboreta worldwide that complement the various ecotourism products that a country has to offer.

Landscape Designs Arboretum
The Arboretum was opened to the public in May 2003 and is located in a designated agricultural and conservation zone within which a land capability study identified the soil quality as Class 1 best suited for the operations adopted by the company. The area also has a water production capacity estimated at 300 – 500,000 gallons per day and already is a source of supply to areas in north Trinidad. The preservation of this supply is considered most necessary.  

The location is also an environmentally-conscious event space, bounded by tall bamboo patches and is home to many species of birds and howler monkeys. In addition to nature watching, there are also picnic spots, outdoor barbecue areas, nature trails, huts and swimming in 2 spring fed pools. It also offers extras by way of a guided rainforest trek.

Mr. Hayden Als, the founder of the Arboretum, is diversifying the operations with a view towards making it more sustainable while maintaining an ecotourism ethos and adopting international best practice of similar services and features of Arboretas globally.

ACTIVITIES

There are many activities one can experience at the Arboretum, such as a family picnic or a hike. There are
sheltered huts with barbecue pits nearby. You can also swim in the spring-fed pools or walk the quiet trails.

 

There is so much to do and enjoy at the Arboretum!
Some of the features, attractions and activities include:

Picnic area Rental of Cabanas Hikers and Bikers retreat
Mermaid camp Visit the historical bunker Outdoor workshops
Company retreats

ATTRACTIONS

The Arboretum is on a seven acre site nestled in the Tucker Valley off Covigne Road in the Chaguaramas Peninsula. It is open to the public from 10:00 am
to 5:00pm daily including public holidays. On-site amenities include washrooms, parking areas, barbecue pits and cabanas.

 

 

The Arboretum-Green and Serene!!
Open green space surrounded by arching bamboo clumps and trees as it is, the home to many birds and animals as well as the monkeys

Accessibility

At the Arboretum, we strive to make our green spaces accessible to people of all backgrounds, as we continue to improve the experiences of our visitors. We would love to receive feedback on how we can improve your experience in our green space. Please email us at alscape@gmail.com and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Getting Here

Arboretum directions for entry. After entering turn onto the Arboretum Road (the same road with the estate police headquarters which is sign posted), proceed for about two minutes keeping right all the way. Where the road folks left and right, you will keep right, into the rainforest area, passing through open barrier gates, and drive for approximately two minutes, seeing direction signs along the way. The road surface is safari like so drive carefully. When entering turn left to the designated parking area.

Rentals

Rentals of cabanas and the facilities are available from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The venue can also be booked for special events including weddings, outdoor retreats, corporate and your own customized event. Tours and catered meals are also available on request.

Hiking Trail to Covigne River Gorge

Covigne River Gorge
A hidden secret located deep in the Tucker Valley in Chaguaramas. Thirty  feet tall rock walls, carved out of the mountain rock by a branch of the Cuesa River. This Covigne river winds through what was once an old cocoa and nutmeg plantation. This is a popular hiking destination, as it is easy to get to it..

Hiking Trail
The trip to the gorge can take just about an hour and starts from the road heading to the Arboretum passed the estate police headquarters. The walk will take you pass the Arboretum through the canopy of trees. When you reach the gorge you will meet a waterfall and plunge pool. Following the river on using the path on the right, you may have to climb across some falling trees which leads through another gorge. Here you will have to use a rope to climb up the slippery gorge of flowing water, which will take you up to a very nice plunge pool.

World War 11 Bunker - Camp Omega, Chaguaramas

The western peninsula of Chaguaramas in Trinidad was used as a military base by the United States of America during the second World War which waged war from 1939 to 1945. Evidence of this can still be seen throughout the area.

During the United States’ occupation of the area as a naval base during and after World War 2, it hosted a transmitter for the US Navy’s OMEGA System which was a global radio navigation for aircraft/submarines, hence the name of the camp. The transmitter was decommissioned in 1976.

This ammunition bunkers at Tucker Valley, Chaguaramas is a very old bunker located in the road before Samaan Park, near the start of the Covigne River and gorges trail.