greenwood gardens

You will think you've entered a garden in Italy. The grounds are magnificent!! The docents are very knowledgeable. They have a variety of programs for the public.

This is a beautiful, romantic garden on the edge of being neglected but, because of this, wonderfully evocative and rewarding. The early design of the garden is easily appreciated within the luxurious growth and with imagination one conjures up a picture of the garden in its heyday. We loved the visit and look forward to our return.

What a lovely spot! Great to stroll around and look at the beautiful and unique sculptures. Very peaceful spot. You can't help but imagine what it must have been like in the 1900's. Lots of greenery...not many flowers. Nearby Millburn has many restaurants to choose from before or after your visit. Definitely worth seeing!

I've already reviewed it, but we went back again today and took a lot of pictures. This time we packed a lunch and ate at the picnic table on the patio.

My daughter and I visited Greenwood one Sunday afternoon. As a nice park-like area with interesting artwork, it's a great way to wander around for an hour or two. If you're seeking "gardens" with flowers, you're at the wrong spot. This is a few acres of beautifully maintained trees with sculptures, interesting outdoor buildings like a tea house and a pond and a pen with goats, geese, and chickens. There are no rose gardens or flower beds. It is on a slightly hilly piece of property with steps to climb. The home is not open or restored for the public. The volunteers who work there are very friendly and helpful and will explain the history of the property. I think the property is on the right track but needs some additional funds to restore it to its glory days and open up the house for tours more often. We enjoyed our stroll but it's not like Old Westbury Gardens or Planting Fields.

It is hard to believe an estate and gardens as extensive as Greenwood exist in a busy metropolitan area. The estate was purchased in 1906 by Joseph P. Day, a real estate magnate in NYC. The architect William W. Renwick designed a new home and gardens in 1911 to replace the first home that burned. The Blanchard Family bought the estate in the late 1940s and replaced the home, which has fallen into disrepair. Now Greenwood is owned by a nonprofit organization and is open to the public. The main house is used for office space, and some restoration work has been done to parts of the gardens. A modern swimming pool was removed to return that area of the property to a more original condition. Much more needs to be done, but there is so much potential here if the organization can raise needed funds. Visitors can spend a pleasant hour or two touring the ground. Walking is easy on paths and gentle hills. Highlights include a number of spectacular fountains that need repair, a teahouse, deteriorating sculpture of various kinds, interesting tilework in the fountains (shells and classical mask-like faces with water spouts in the mouths), and some splendid flower gardens that have been restored and well-maintained. Kids would probably enjoy a few chickens, geese, and goats housed in a small livestock area. One can only imagine the wealth and privilege enjoyed by the the inhabitants of this estate.The day we visited, we enjoyed talking to a helpful docent who knew a lot about the site and pointed out features in a notebook with photos. We intend to return there in the fall, since I imagine some of the trees will look spectacular. It is worth the modest cost of admission. Also, I think Greenwood Gardens is in Short Hills, though the address here in Trip Advisor says Summit.

This is a hidden gem off of Old Short Hills Road in Short Hills. Trip adviser has it listed as being in Summit but it is actually in Short Hills. This 28 acre public garden was a private estate until 2003. It is a very pleasant way to spend 1 to 2 hours strolling the gardens. It is not wheelchair accessible and there is uneven terrain and stairs to navigate.

This was a private estate until the Blanchard family turned it over to a conservatory. The conservatory has been restoring the gardens to their original splendor and have been doing a great job. The cost is minimal to enjoy this wonderful asset to our community.

The Gardens are part of the estate of the Blanchards that has been preserved and converted to public gardens. You can walk down the terraced gardens and sense the grandeur of the locations. There are pools, and paths, some of which on to be rebuilt in the future to return to their original state. Besides the main house which was not open to visitors when we were there, there are several other buildings on the property, almost like follies. One such building was a teahouse for having refreshments in the garden. The gardens are very well maintained and you could expect to see new developments each time you visit.

I have visited a few times and am always struck by the beauty of the location and the interesting old statues, pathways and pavilions. If you're interested in learning more, the gardens have been written up frequently in the New York Times. Many of the statues are covered in moss, which adds to their charm. By the way, the gardens are in Short Hills, not in Summit. I highly recommend it, although it wouldn't be a good place to go if you have mobility issues.

This is the garden of a former estate owned by a wealthy family.. The owners developed the gardens to be simillar to those you would find in grand Eurpean estates. There are many levels in the gardens, with wonderful trees, flowers, shrubs, but there are also fountains, a small lake, a small waterfall, a small farm with goats and chickens, a tea house, and much more. It is now owned by a conservancy and is maintained with a very small staff and a lot of volunteers. It is a magical place, and well worth a visit.