If you’ve ever driven on North Broadway in Yonkers, you may have sped right past Untermyer Park and Gardens and not even known it {guilty!}. Hidden behind a gated brick wall, the entrance is unassuming. However, once you pass through those gates, you are transported to another world.
Untermyer Park is a public park in the city of Yonkers. It’s named for successful corporate lawyer, Samuel Untermyer, who acquired the property in 1899. An avid horticulturist, he commissioned architect William Welles Bosworth to design the gardens in 1916. Untermyer opened his 150 acres of gardens to the public and intended for them to become a state park when he died. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of this endeavor, his dream couldn’t become a reality. Instead, in 1946 a portion of the property was given to the City of Yonkers to be used as a city park. Today, Untermyer Park consists of 43 acres that is maintained and being restored in a collaboration between the non-profit, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy and the city of Yonkers.
I recommend picking up a brochure which is available in an outdoor case at the Community Center (bathrooms and benches to sit and rest are located here as well). You can read about the history of the gardens and use the map to ensure that you don’t miss anything. As much as I wanted to fill this post with tons of beautiful pictures of the gardens I restrained myself. There’s nothing like seeing their beauty for the first time in person.
Begin your tour at the Walled Garden. This Indo-Persian garden is based on the Garden of Eden. Divided into quadrants by waterways, some things you will see in this garden include an open air amphitheater, reflecting pools filled with goldfish and koi, marble columns, a Grecian temple, fountains and mosaic-tiled floors and walls.
Make your way toward The Vista, the staircase that takes you down towards the Vista Overlook. At the circular Overlook, you will have spectacular views of the Hudson River. As you make your way down the steps, you’ll pass the remnants of what was the Color Gardens.
At the bottom of the Vista Overlook you can take the Woodland Trail up the the Temple of Love. We opted to walk down past the old Gatehouse and take the longer Carriage Trail. This trail runs parallel to the Old Croton Aqueduct and Warburton Avenue. Hearing police sirens and cars driving by as we walked on the trail were the only reminders that we were in the midst of a city. When we came upon the waterfalls at the Temple of Love, my jaw dropped in disbelief! Seeing the rock gardens with the water cascading down is truly a breathtaking sight.
The whole family was surprised at the history and beauty of Untermyer Park. These gardens are truly a hidden gem in Yonkers that every Westchester County resident should visit at least once. The beauty of the gardens is that you can come back at different times throughout the year and get a different perspective, as they change the floral displays with the seasons.
The Details:
Untermyer Park and Gardens
945 North Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10701
(914) 613-4502
www.untermyergardens.org
Admission: Free
Hours: 7 AM – dusk (daily)
Please check the website for the Walled Garden hours
Tours: 90 minutes – given on Sundays by docents from late April through early November (focus alternates weekly between history and horticulture – check the schedule for information)
Cost: $10/adult, free for children 12 and under – no reservations required
President’s Tour: Given one Sunday a month
Cost: $20/adult, free for children 12 and under – no reservations required
Parking: Two small lots at the community center next to the community center at Untermyer or street parking on North Broadway (both metered and unmetered)
Additional Info:
There are restrooms on the property.
Pets are not allowed on the grounds.
Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Food and drinks are not sold on the property. However, feel free to bring your own and enjoy a picnic on the grounds.
We visited with our two children, ages 8 and 11. Walking at a leisurely pace, we were able to see all of the gardens and take plenty of pictures in about one hour. You can make a longer or shorter visit, depending on your needs.
