Community members celebrated earlier this week as Bonita Lakes Watershed became the second site in Mississippi to host an arboretum, adding to what is already an abundance of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts in the East Mississippi area. While the Queen City is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, its lesser known but just as varied natural areas should also be touted.

Bonita, at more than 3,300 acres, is a massive draw to Meridian and the surrounding areas for its miles of equestrian and mountain biking trails, walking paths, boating and fishing, exercise equipment and more. With the addition of the arboretum, the recreation area now adds an education component that can teach residents and visitors about various species of trees and plants as they enjoy walking along the gravel trail.

On the other side of town, Okatibbee Lake offers even more. There is boating, fishing, playgrounds, walking paths and campgrounds at several locations along the lake, and the neighboring Wildlife Management Area, overseen by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, provides public land for hunting, hiking, wildlife photography and other uses.

Twenty minutes south of Meridian lies Clarkco State Park, where visitors can take advantage of hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, a splash pad and swimming, fishing and boating, kayak rentals, cabin, RV and primitive camping and a popular disc golf course.

A report released earlier this month by Visit Mississippi, the state’s tourism arm, found tourism had a $17.5 billion economic impact in Mississippi in 2023, with more than 43.7 million visitors coming to the Magnolia State. That comes out to about $31.6 million per day.

The top spending categories of that money included food and beverage, lodging, recreation and retail, and transportation, the report found.

Mississippi, with its abundance of space, is a prime destination for those looking to spend time in the great outdoors, and Meridian’s convenient access to recreational offerings, and available hotels and restaurants, is uniquely situated to give visitors the time in nature they desire while still having a hot meal and soft bed at the end of the day.

Numerous people worked to make the Bonita Lakes arboretum come to fruition and even more work to make sure our green spaces stay clean and safe throughout the year. To all involved, thank you, and we look forward to seeing Meridian’s outdoor opportunities grow even further.