|
The Conservatory GardenCentral Park
New York, New York Fifth Avenue and 105th Street in Central Park New York, New York Size: 6 acres Open Daily: 8 a.m. to dusk Website Along with the rest of Central Park, this once elegant garden had fallen into disrepair due to lack of city funding. Graffiti, broken bottles, compacted lawns and overgrown flower beds frightened people, and they stayed away. A painter and horticulturist, Lynden Miller was asked by Elizabeth Rogers, the Administrator of Central Park, to undertake its restoration. By raising private funds, redesigning the plantings, and organizing a dedicated volunteer group of gardeners, Mrs. Miller was able to restore a lovely elegant garden for the people of New York. In 1987 she raised an endowment for the garden's long term care. With long term care the highest standards of horticulture to this day are displayed with a superb staff to maintaining them. Most important, the restoration and continued success of the garden, despite its location in a poor part of the city, has proved without a doubt that everyone, rich and poor, will respect and love a beautiful place when it is well-maintained. |