Arboretum Neighborhood Association

Lake Forest, Forest Park, the Arboretum, the Lost City? Where am I?

Forest Park refers the northwestern side of our neighborhood (in purple). Lake Forest refers to the southeastern side of our neighborhood (in yellow). Both names originate from the original plat maps created during the subdivision planning from 100 years ago. The Arboretum is the natural lands surrounding our neighborhood that are owned and protected by the University of Wisconsin. The Lost City is the nickname given unofficially to our neighborhood due to its origins as a planned subdivision from the 1920s that failed largely due to the unstable marshland terrain causing the home foundations and early infrastructure to literally sink. The remnants of the sunken part of our expanded neighborhood can still be found today in the Arboretum forests just west of the Lake Forest part of our neighborhood. Guided tours are offered by the UW Arboretum usually in the fall every year to further educate and “see” the remaining evidence of the Lost City. Check their events calendar for current offerings. Please also visit the history tab of our website for more information.