Greenwood Gardens, the non-profit 28-acre historic site and public garden in Short Hills, New Jersey, announced its re-opening following the completion of extensive renovations. The garden grounds have a peculiar ability to make you feel calm, curious, and fascinated all at once. A far cry from crowds, metal scaffolds, and constant noise of the city, and a calming, peaceful, spacious oasis, Greenwood invites you and your family to take self-guided tours of this graceful property with terraced gardens, woodlands, grottoes, fountains, hand-built structures, winding paths, sculptures, urns and gates that date back to the early 1900’s.
Greenwood Gardens will be open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from September 13 through November 8, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Entry is by advanced timed ticket registration.
I recently visited Greenwood Gardens and spoke with Abby O’Neill, Greenwood’s Executive Director, about the opportunity presented by public spaces like Greenwood Gardens to tie the larger Newark community together with a strong sense of identity, scale, and history and how important it is, especially for youth, to see and experience such spaces.
“We look forward to offering the public a safe, beautiful haven in which to connect with nature and feel revitalized, especially during this challenging time,” she said. “Greenwood’s last owner, Peter P. Blanchard, Jr., intended the site to serve as a community resource in perpetuity, and there is no better time than now to fulfill his vision.” Open to the public since 2013, Greenwood closed last summer for major renovations which include a revised entry plan and ticket kiosk, expanded parking, new rain garden, renovated Main Axis with working fountains, new landscaping, and restored historic views. Newly donated teak benches are located throughout the garden where visitors can linger and absorb the sights, sounds, and scents of this enchanted hideaway.
Following a long line of individuals who own the land , a rural retreat was established by Pierre Noel in the form of a two-story Victorian wooden frame house. He sold the 80-acre property in 1881 to Newark Brewery owner Christian B. Feigenspan. The brewery was built and operated on Belmont Street in Newark, and continued production throughout Prohibition. In January of 1903, Feigenspan’s widow, Marie Laible, granted the property to their son, Christian W. Feigenspan, who sold the property three years later did Joseph P day. At the time, Day was New York City’s most successful real estate auctioneer.
A visit to Greenwood offers insight into the lives of two particular families that previously called it home. In the early decades of the last century, self-made multi-millionaire Joseph P. Day established the gardens as a private garden, a retreat from the hectic pace and sizzling heat of the city. Much later in 1950, the property was sold to Peter P. Blanchard Jr. and his wife Adelaide Childs Frick Blanchard, who added an evergreen formality to the garden. In 2003, following his father’s wishes, Peter P. Blanchard III and his wife, Sofia, began the process of creating a nonprofit conservation organization, The Greenwood Gardens. After a major renovation and initial access by guided tours, the garden opened fully to the public in 2013.
Since then, Greenwood has welcomed thousands of visitors for guided group tours, on-site programming in nature, art, history, and conservation, as well as special events. A membership program offers special discounts and programs and along with donations from the public, helps support operations.
Entry to the garden is free to members and children under 12 and $10 for non-members, $5 for seniors and students with ID. Advanced timed ticket registration can be purchased at greenwoodgardens.org/tickets, along with a complimentary downloadable guide to the garden and its history. A special membership offer provides a complimentary three-month extension for those joining by October 31. The garden will adhere to state and municipal guidelines governing visitation during the COVID-19 public health situation.
