Gray skies did not dampen the spirits of 200 people who assembled to see the opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the new $1.3 million Sensory Garden and Entrance Pavilion at Planting Fields Arboretum State Park in Oyster Bay. The 3,500-square-foot sensory garden, which is handicapped accessible, engages visitors of all ages and abilities to commune with nature through the five senses of touch, taste, sight, sound and smell and is the only one on Long Island.
Standing in front of the garden with pergolas, fountains, wind chimes and raised planters of colorful flowers and herbs, visionary Peter Tilles surveyed the scene of Albany’s top politicians and commissioners who were on hand for the event, and smiled. Twenty years ago when Tilles and his wife, Dori, were visiting their children in Chicago, they toured the botanical gardens there and came across a sensory garden. Tilles thought this would be a wonderful addition to Planting Fields. Ten years later at a charity dinner, he introduced himself to Rose Harvey, who was the newly installed head of NY State Parks, and challenged her to bring this type of park to Long Island. Two weeks later, she contacted him and agreed to do it. A vision took root and the game was on to see it grow.
With hard work, creative ideas, a large donation from Tilles, fundraising from private sources and support from the state, the vision became a reality and Tilles could not be more pleased.
“This is a spectacular garden providing a new entrance and ambiance for Planting Fields Arboretum, which is New York State’s finest arboretum. This special garden for the physically challenged called the Sensory Garden will provide access for people to come and enjoy an environmental experience,” said Tilles.
The entrance starts with a large covered pavilion where groups can assemble before visiting the 409-acre park. The sensory garden has wide pathways with ramps surrounded by raised planters where visitors can touch and smell the plants, and run their hands along the gurgling fountains or blow bubbles as one little girl did.
Hal Davidson, president of the Planting Fields Foundation, had high praise for Tilles for his vision, financial support and for the cooperative efforts of New York State.
“This garden is completely handicapped accessible and it opens up a new dimension to the park,” said Davidson. “It augments the senses. In addition, we have braille for the blind so they can identify where they are and what the plants are. There is nothing like it on Long Island.”
Wayne Horsley, regional director of Long Island State Parks, was beaming as he greeted some of the local state senators who were on hand for the dedication.
“This is an exciting event and the culmination of a lot of dreams. Young people, as well as old, and those folks with special needs, will be able to appreciate the sensory garden and enjoy the park along with everyone else,” said Horsley. “This is not only the largest, but the only one in the state. We are very proud of it and it happened because the state of New York is working cooperatively with the folks here at Planting Fields and we are working as a team. When you move in the right direction and together, things happen and this is the result of a lot of hard work. We are very pleased.”
Vincent Simeone, director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, commented on the event.
“This is a really auspicious occasion and a long time coming. We have been planning this garden for 10 years and we have been building it for two years,” said Simeone. “It’s a great collaboration between New York state and the Planting Fields Foundation and especially Peter Tilles, who raised so much money for this. This is a garden for everyone, for all abilities and we are so excited to have this open today.”
The sensory garden not only provides a beautiful visual entrance to the garden, but also serves another purpose as Henry Joyce, executive director of Planting Fields Foundation, explained.
“This is a very exciting day because we have worked on this for years and it is finally open and it looks beautiful,” said Joyce. “Every Sunday afternoon in July and August we will have free programs here for children. This weekend we will have ice cream made from strawberries picked that were grown in the new sensory garden.”
On hand to help open the garden was Susan Gordon Ryan, on the board of commission for New York State Parks Long Island region, who had another reason to really appreciate the opening of this garden. She uses a motorized chair to navigate and explained the challenges she faces on a daily basis and why she appreciates the garden.
“This sensory garden is just such a beautiful extension of the welcoming environment that Planting Fields as a state park has towards its patrons,” said Ryan. “Not only is it physically beautiful, but it is so welcoming for people with any kind of physical or developmental disabilities or any disability. It is designed to welcome everybody and we encourage everyone to come out and see this beautiful facility that was just built with the support of state parks, Peter Tilles and the Planting Fields Foundation.”
As the ribbon was cut and the guests toured the garden, Tilles thanked all who helped support his vision, which is now a reality.
To learn more or to donate to Planting Fields Arboretum at 1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay, go to www.plantingfields.org.
