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Arboretum reopens after bear-forced closure

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, October 3, 2018

By JUNEAU EMPIRE

Flowers bloom at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum in July 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Flowers bloom at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum in July 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Flowers bloom at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum in July 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Flowers bloom at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum in July 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Merrill Jensen, Director & Horticulturist for the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, moves a watering hose on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. During dry spells Jensen has to move the watering hose every two to four hours around the clock. It takes four days to water the entire garden. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The Jensen-Olson Arboretum resumes normal business hours today after repeated visits from a hungry bear kept it closed for about a month, according to a City and Borough of Juneau press release.

The Arboretum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The city has cautioned that though the Arboretum is now open, the presence of bears is always a possibility, and visitors should use caution. On Sept. 5, ursine interest in berry bushes at the Arboretum reached an “excessive” level, prompting the closure for public safety.

Arboretum management thanked the public for its patience and cooperation during the unexpected closure. For more information, contact Arboretum Manager Merrill Jensen at 789-0139 or Merrill.Jensen@juneau.org.

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