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Untermyer Parks and Gardens in Yonkers

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“Mommy, I don’t want to go home now!” exclaims my 4 year old daughter as we finish grocery shopping.  Not wanting to either, I break out my phone and Google parks near our location.  I quickly find one and head over, not quite sure what we are in for.  Little did I know we would be entering what will become one of our favorite places to visit, Untermyer Parks and Gardens in Yonkers New York.  Tucked in amongst the corporate parks of the Greystone neighborhood, a visit to Untermyer Gardens is like taking a trip back in time.

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Unterymyer Gardens is part of the Greystone Estate, which was purchased by corporate lawyer Samuel Untermyer in 1899.  Fueled by his passion for horticulture, Untermyer expanded his estate to over 150 acres and hired an architect to design the gardens around 1915.  During the 1920’s and 1930’s, the gardens were open on a weekly basis and were so popular that thirty-thousand people visited the gardens on one day in 1939.

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The gardens consist of six focal points.  The Walled Garden was inspired by ancient Indo-Persian gardens and draws on various religious descriptions of paradise.  The Vista and its descending stairs was modeled after the stairs at the Villa D’Este in Italy and offers a spectacular view of the Hudson River and the Palisades.  Time has erased most the Color Gardens and Gatehouse which are located just north of the Vista.  The Temple of Love is perched atop a rock formation and once boasted an elaborate water feature and planters.  The Rock Garden consists of stone paths that once crossed over a flowing stream.  The Sundial Garden has been lost to time and all that remains are the the metal trellises for the roses that marked the entryway to the garden.image

Today, the City of Yonkers owns 43 acres of the original estate.  A tour through the park reveals that much of Samuel Untermyer’s planning lies in ruin, but what remains is truly breathtaking.  As a family, we visit the gardens often and have quickly renamed it our secret garden.  We search for koi and goldfish in the reflecting pool of the Walled Garden, descend the Vista steps to enjoy the view of the Palisades and explore the trail to the Temple of Love where we are greeted with another view of the Hudson River.  Beautiful during all seasons, Untermyer Gardens is a hidden gem that should not be missed.

imagePack a lunch, bring a blanket and your camera and go!  Plug Untermyer Gardens is located at 945 N. Broadway, Yonkers, NY into your GPS. We promise you will not be disappointed.

Keep up to date with events on their website,  Facebook, twitter and instagram.

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored. We just love this park and wanted to share.  

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