Join Neal for a walk on the Arnold Arboretum Trail in Jamaica Plains.  We will meet at the FOREST HILLS GATE on Arborway up the street from  Hennewell Visitor Center (125 Arborway), which is temporarily closed.  The 3.7 mile  trail is well maintained though can be muddy if the weather has been rainy. 

There are over 16,000 well documented and signed plants in the arboretum (look at their website for a wealth of information and online tours). The main attraction now is the lilacs.  May 11 is Lilac Day and there are usually mobs of people.  On May 12, the place should be relatively uncrowded. The trail is relatively flat and easy though there are some hills.

You can park along Arborway and walk to the Forest Hills Gate or you can take the MBTA Orange Line to its southern end—Forest Hills. Exit through the door marked “Arnold Arboretum.” Cross Washington Street and walk up Arborway to the Arboretum’s Forest Hills Gate on your left.

Bring bug repellent and water.  If you must cancel for some reason, do so in the TOHG website or give Neal a call (517-896-7610).

I do not know this neighborhood well so cannot recommend a place to have lunch, but there is supposed to be a new restaurant/cafe at the T station and  a Google search suggests the Evergreen Eatery (154 Green St, Boston) or the Third Cliff Bakery (3531 Washington St, Boston) may be close and relatively good.  If anyone has another suggestion, we can try that.