July 8, 2023
Our good friend Michele and her daughter Marian guided us around their favorite walking spot, Brookside Gardens. Opened to the public in 1969, the gardens are extensive, with 54 acres of lawns, woods, ponds, sculptures and flowers. The garden grounds were originally part of a landscaping and garden center on a small farm owned by Stadler Nurseries. Perhaps, not surprisingly then, the idea behind the gardens, is that all of the plants and flowers should grow well in the metropolitan area. So if you live in the area and are looking for some ideas for your own garden, be sure to check out Brookside.
The gardens are also home to a lot of wildlife. During the walk, we spotted a wide variety of birds, including Canadian geese, cardinals, and swallows. We could hear owls calling from the trees. In the ponds we saw fish, turtles, and even a snake. There were lots of frogs and toads who loudly serenaded us as the sun slowly sank.
One of Brookside’s main attractions is its tea house. It is a beautiful spot to sit, relax and enjoy the view as swallows dart about.
Mal and Lauren 