The vision of arboretum founders and the Freeman Academy Board of Directors turned a cow pasture on the south side of campus into a community treasure shared by locals and travelers alike.
In 1998 thirty acres of lowland meadow began its transformation into a vibrant landscape of flower beds, a winding pond, sculptures, a fountain, tree collections, and meandering paths that wind through native prairie.
Three connecting ponds and an island were excavated in the arboretum in the autumn of 2001 and approximately 5,500 feet of walking paths were constructed around the ponds the following spring.
The Prairie Arboretum was dedicated and opened to the Freeman community in October 2002. This on-going work of community volunteers has grown to include a Visitor Center available for family and community events.
The Freeman Prairie Arboretum contains diverse species of trees, grasses and plants that are native and adaptive to southeastern South Dakota.
Today visitors enjoy recent additions including 100 new rose bushes, a disc golf course designed and donated by the Lions Club, and a fishing pier installed through collaboration with the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department.