Tucked away in little corners throughout the Hudson Valley are some places so perfect and undisturbed that upon finding them your tempted to keep it to yourself. In some ways, it may feel that the valley is full many treasures because for those that are really looking, they discover one gem after another hiding in plane sight.
Like a storybook secret garden, Innisfree Gardens in Millbrook, NY is no exception. I didn’t speak much about it after my own visit many months ago maybe for the aforementioned reasons. I hadn’t known about Innisfree until visiting, and part of me didn’t want anyone else to know about it either. However, like many beloved sights in the Hudson Valley, without healthy public support, access to these local treasures might not be possible or even continue to exist. So alas, I must share the wonders of Innisfree Garden and why it is one of the valleys best kept secrets.
Getting there is the biggest challenge without detailed driving instructions, and even then, I do recall the G.P.S. losing signal several times along the way. It’s an obscure route that weaves you through windy hilly roads and in and out of set back residential streets. Don’t expect to see any obvious signs leading the way. You’ll have to trust the directions turn by turn even when it seems unlikely that you’ll end up at a public garden.
My husband and I set out mid morning after a long weekend stay at a nearby B&B. I decided that finding this little known garden would be a nice way to end a long weekend before heading back to our busy city lives. Not surprisingly, we were among the first ones to pull into the shady gravel parking lot and it seemed that we might almost have the place to ourselves. By the time we situated ourselves, a few more cars had trickled in but the atmosphere still felt very quiet and undisturbed.
The gardens have a beautiful history which I tried to recall as I headed up a small slope to the grounds. There’s no grandiose gated entry, or intimidating stone facade to be welcomed through. It is as if you were invited to a friends specious backyard, and upon arriving you just kept walking. At no point do you sense that the gardens have begun or ended, rather you are simply awed to find your self among the architectural landscape. It’s an atmospheric experience, where all of the natural life around you is thriving in a rare native habitat. There are rock formations, tree varieties, changes in elevation as you navigate at your pace of choosing. Nothing seems intentional and yet it all works in such beautiful harmony together.
The largest feature of the gardens is the lake centered amongst grassy embankments creeping into the water. The landscape is gently spread outwards on all sides with Adirondack chairs sparsely placed for taking in the view. The draw was irresistible. We sat near a few willow trees gently swaying in the breeze and enjoyed some quiet conversation.
A few of the other visitors could be seen enjoying their stroll on this beautiful warm day. On the opposite side of the lake there was a woman that had set up for a painting. Her easel and canvas only added to the calm mood. From somewhat of a distance in a more woodsy section of the park you could see movement here or there. Perhaps it was the time of day, but it never felt crowded or intrusive.
No one is a guest of Innisfree as you might feel at other public gardens. Instead you become someone strolling by and are welcomed much as the age old trees, plant life and wildlife have been welcomed from times past. The longer I stayed, the harder it became to leave. I took another seat opposite of where I was before now having spent much time going around the lake and in and out of several woodsy parts. I knew I would not have the time to return to Innisfree as often as I would like to, so taking in a few more minutes of the view was a necessity. I could have stayed for hours more, but the hustle and bustle of city life was waiting for me. It took all of my will power to get up from the comfortable Adirondack chair, but as I began telling family and friends about Innisfree Gardens in the months to come, I realized that I more of Innisfree came with me than was left behind.
For more about the history of Innisfree Gardens and visiting information, please visit their website at innisfreegarden.org.
