7 of the Best Secret Parks and Gardens to Discover this Spring
April 6, 2018
On those first unabashedly beautiful days of spring, it feels like the whole city flocks to public parks to enjoy the sun and good vibes. But if the surge of crowds has you down, and you find yourself craving a more relaxing day outdoors, then seek out these seven secret parks and gardens. From the oldest botanic garden in North America to a Japanese-inspired oasis, these under-the-radar spots will give you that much-needed dose of greenery.
1. THE CHINESE SCHOLAR'S GARDEN, NEW YORK: When was the last time you took a day trip to Staten Island? If it's been a while, consider the Chinese Scholar's Garden—part of the Snug Harbor Culture Center & Botanical Garden—the perfect excuse to hop aboard the ferry and explore. Complete with pavilions, a bamboo path, a koi-filled pond, and other evocative touches, the garden feels worlds away from the hubbub of the Big Apple.
Image courtesy of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
Image courtesy of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
2. ALFRED CALDWELL LILY POOL, CHICAGO: Designed by landscape architect Alfred Caldwell as an urban retreat back in the 1930s, the oasis-like Lily Pool, hidden away within Lincoln Park, is still one of our favorite patches of under-the-radar greenery in the Windy City. Though it fell into disrepair by the 1990s, thanks to a wide-ranging refurbishment, this standout of Prairie School architecture has never looked lovelier.
Image courtesy of Lincoln Park Conservancy
Image courtesy of Lincoln Park Conservancy
3. KUBOTA GARDEN, SEATTLE: In Rainier Beach, South Seattle, is Kubota Garden: one of the city's prettiest secret parks for a springtime wander or afternoon picnic. A petite 20 acres, the green space was founded by landscaper Fujitaro Kubota in 1927, and was officially acquired by the city in 1987. Combining native northwest plants with Japanese flourishes, the garden is at its best when at peak blossom.
Image courtesy of Kubota Garden
Image courtesy of Kubota Garden
4. DUMBARTON OAKS, WASHINGTON DC: Georgetown might be best known for its eponymous university and its busy shopping streets, but come spring, Dumbarton Oaks provides another reason to visit this buzzing neighborhood. A historic estate and now a Harvard-affiliated research library, the institution hosts a fascinating museum. But in spring, its garden, designed by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, is a must, whether you soak up the sun on its grassy South Lawn or admire the ephemeral cherry blossoms.
Image courtesy of Spencer Lenfield/Dumbarton Oaks
Image courtesy of Spencer Lenfield/Dumbarton Oaks
5. BARTRAM'S GARDEN, PHILADELPHIA: Considering Philadelphia's heavy concentration of historic landmarks, it might not be a surprise that Bartram's Garden—in fact the oldest botanic garden in all of North America—has managed to slip under the radar. And while this National Historic Landmark is certainly underrated, it's also one of the best hidden parks and gardens to drop by this spring. Spread across 45 acres, and abutting the Schuylkill River, Bartram's Garden is open to the public year-round, and it even hosts free boating outings on Saturday afternoons.
Image courtesy of R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Image courtesy of R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
6. AMIR'S GARDEN, LOS ANGELES: Sure, Griffith Park hardly counts as "hidden"—measuring in at over 4,200 acres, it's one of the largest city parks in North America—but tucked away in its heart is the discreet, little-known Amir's Garden. Consisting of just five acres along a forested ridge, the garden's lush plant life and utter tranquility lend it a magical aura. And its backstory is no less remarkable: it was founded in the 1970s by Iranian immigrant Amir Dialameh, who slowly replanted and nurtured its plants after a damaging brush fire.
Image courtesy of Amirs Garden
Image courtesy of Amirs Garden
7. JAMES P KELLEHER ROSE GARDEN, BOSTON: It might only be steps away from Boston's famed Fenway Park, but the James P Kelleher Rose Garden, located in The Fens, is still decidedly obscure. Join the rose obsessives who frequent this haunt for a sunny stroll: this picture-perfect, postage stamp-sized garden hosts over 1,500 rose plants. Designed back in 1931, the garden underwent renovation in 2001, and since then its blooms have never looked better.
Image courtesy of Emerald Necklace Conservancy
Image courtesy of Emerald Necklace Conservancy
1. THE CHINESE SCHOLAR'S GARDEN, NEW YORK: When was the last time you took a day trip to Staten Island? If it's been a while, consider the Chinese Scholar's Garden—part of the Snug Harbor Culture Center & Botanical Garden—the perfect excuse to hop aboard the ferry and explore. Complete with pavilions, a bamboo path, a koi-filled pond, and other evocative touches, the garden feels worlds away from the hubbub of the Big Apple.
Image courtesy of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
Image courtesy of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
2. ALFRED CALDWELL LILY POOL, CHICAGO: Designed by landscape architect Alfred Caldwell as an urban retreat back in the 1930s, the oasis-like Lily Pool, hidden away within Lincoln Park, is still one of our favorite patches of under-the-radar greenery in the Windy City. Though it fell into disrepair by the 1990s, thanks to a wide-ranging refurbishment, this standout of Prairie School architecture has never looked lovelier.
Image courtesy of Lincoln Park Conservancy
Image courtesy of Lincoln Park Conservancy
3. KUBOTA GARDEN, SEATTLE: In Rainier Beach, South Seattle, is Kubota Garden: one of the city's prettiest secret parks for a springtime wander or afternoon picnic. A petite 20 acres, the green space was founded by landscaper Fujitaro Kubota in 1927, and was officially acquired by the city in 1987. Combining native northwest plants with Japanese flourishes, the garden is at its best when at peak blossom.
Image courtesy of Kubota Garden
Image courtesy of Kubota Garden
4. DUMBARTON OAKS, WASHINGTON DC: Georgetown might be best known for its eponymous university and its busy shopping streets, but come spring, Dumbarton Oaks provides another reason to visit this buzzing neighborhood. A historic estate and now a Harvard-affiliated research library, the institution hosts a fascinating museum. But in spring, its garden, designed by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, is a must, whether you soak up the sun on its grassy South Lawn or admire the ephemeral cherry blossoms.
Image courtesy of Spencer Lenfield/Dumbarton Oaks
Image courtesy of Spencer Lenfield/Dumbarton Oaks
5. BARTRAM'S GARDEN, PHILADELPHIA: Considering Philadelphia's heavy concentration of historic landmarks, it might not be a surprise that Bartram's Garden—in fact the oldest botanic garden in all of North America—has managed to slip under the radar. And while this National Historic Landmark is certainly underrated, it's also one of the best hidden parks and gardens to drop by this spring. Spread across 45 acres, and abutting the Schuylkill River, Bartram's Garden is open to the public year-round, and it even hosts free boating outings on Saturday afternoons.
Image courtesy of R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
Image courtesy of R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
6. AMIR'S GARDEN, LOS ANGELES: Sure, Griffith Park hardly counts as "hidden"—measuring in at over 4,200 acres, it's one of the largest city parks in North America—but tucked away in its heart is the discreet, little-known Amir's Garden. Consisting of just five acres along a forested ridge, the garden's lush plant life and utter tranquility lend it a magical aura. And its backstory is no less remarkable: it was founded in the 1970s by Iranian immigrant Amir Dialameh, who slowly replanted and nurtured its plants after a damaging brush fire.
Image courtesy of Amirs Garden
Image courtesy of Amirs Garden
7. JAMES P KELLEHER ROSE GARDEN, BOSTON: It might only be steps away from Boston's famed Fenway Park, but the James P Kelleher Rose Garden, located in The Fens, is still decidedly obscure. Join the rose obsessives who frequent this haunt for a sunny stroll: this picture-perfect, postage stamp-sized garden hosts over 1,500 rose plants. Designed back in 1931, the garden underwent renovation in 2001, and since then its blooms have never looked better.
Image courtesy of Emerald Necklace Conservancy
Image courtesy of Emerald Necklace Conservancy
