Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
Staten Island, New York City
New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden
There are only 2 authentic Chinese gardens in the US, and the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden is one of them. Completed in 1999, all structures were fabricated in Suzhou, China based upon architecture from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD.) The garden includes a bamboo path, waterfalls, a Koi pond, Gongshi scholar’s rocks and evergreens.
There is a jewel box of a garden on Staten Island in New York City that merits a visit every season.
The shipping heir Robert Richard Randall bequeathed his estate - Snug Harbor - and his fortune to build a retirement community for sailors in 1801. Sailor’s Snug Harbor remained a retirement city until the mid-20th century when the endowment dwindled. The historic building began to deteriorate and many were taken down in the 1950s.
Thankfully, the New York City Landmarks Commission was established in the 1960s and the remaining buildings were New York City’s first landmark structures. Additionally, Snug Harbor was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The City of New York bought Snug Harbor in 1970 and soon after, Snug Harbor Cultural Center was established. The vast gardens were kept by the Staten Island Botanical Gardens. In 2008, they merged and this magnificent urban oasis was established.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens is a preservation success story with historic structures featuring contemporary fine arts and historical retrospectives.
There are 14 individual gardens to discover and rediscover.
Allée
120 Hornbeam trees were molded to create this impressive walkway. Traditionally found in European formal gardens; this allée was fashioned after one found on the grounds of Versailles. In fall, Hornbeam leaves are a warm copper color.
White Garden
Inspired by Sissinghurst, the English garden of Vita Sackville-West who was the best friend of Virginia Woolf.
RCSF Tuscan Garden
Echoing the gardens of the Villa Gamberaia in Florence, Italy this gardens has early Renaissance architectural features and amazing roses in June.
Connie Gertz Secret Garden
Based on the book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this hidden garden has towers and a shrubbery maze that leads to charming flower garden.
