The
City of Nelson is on the west arm of
Kootenay Lake and Lakeside Park is on the waterfront of the arm.
The arboretum contains many species of trees native to
West Kootenay Forests. There are coniferous and deciduous, flowering and non-flowering trees and shrubs. The arboretum is divided into 9 sections, each containing species characteristic of specific altitudes, temperatures and moisture levels. Shrubs and other plants are grouped with trees with which they would normally be found.