Where To Celebrate National Public Gardens Day In The Hamptons

On Friday, May 12, a trio of lush East End public gardens are teaming up to present a complimentary 1-hour guided tour of each scenic location as part of National Public Gardens Day. Hosted by the Peconic Land Trust, the free event will take tourgoers on an idyllic journey to Bridge Gardens (36 Mitchells Lane, Bridgehampton), Madoo Conservancy (618 Sagg Main Street, Sagaponack), and finally to LongHouse Reserve (133 Hands Creek Road, East Hampton).

“Every year, National Public Gardens Day provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce the community to the beautiful public gardens in our community, including the Trust’s Bridge Gardens,” shared Rick Bogusch, Garden Manager, Peconic Land Trust’s Bridge Gardens. “A beautiful oasis in Bridgehampton, Bridge Gardens is designed to provide gardeners with inspiration that they can bring to their own homes – from the vegetable gardens, to the multiple herb beds, to wonderful perennial flowers, to native grasses – and even organically cared for roses.”

In addition to offering unbelievably beautiful views, Bridge Gardens serves as a multi-purpose, multi-disciplinary outdoor classroom, demonstration garden and community resource. “Donated to the Trust nine years ago by Harry Neyens and Jim Kilpatric, the gardens have been part of the Bridgehampton community for 30 years,” noted Bogusch. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the gardens on May 12 and throughout the seasons.”

Artist, gardener, and writer Robert Dash founded The Madoo Conservancy in 1967. The continually changing, horticulturally diverse garden with historic structures pays homage to its founder by engaging, teaching, and inspiring visitors.

East Hampton’s LongHouse Reserve is a 16 acre reserve and sculpture garden. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

With its 16 acres, you can easily find something new to explore at LongHouse Reserve, a reserve and sculpture garden, each visit.

“National Public Gardens Day is one of my favorite days because it encourages that sense of discovery and community for all. We see and meet people that otherwise might not come out and see what we are about,” shared LongHouse Reserve horticulturalist Alex Feleppa. “That’s what I love most, reaching out and positively affecting as many people as possible.”

Like Bridge Gardens and Madoo, LongHouse also hosts a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year. “Like other great public gardens, LongHouse works to inspire, educate, and empower,” added Feleppa. “We welcome people from near and far, of all races and classes, to come and see what we have done in the hopes they can take something away and incorporate it to improve their own quality of life.”

The National Public Gardens Day tour begins at Bridge Gardens at 10:30 a.m. The tour at Madoo Conservancy will start at 1 p.m. and the tour of LongHouse Reserve will begin at 3 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are requested.

Additionally, tourgoers can take advantage of a special National Public Gardens Day prix fixe dinner at The Living Room c/o The Maidstone in East Hampton, Almond Restaurant in Bridgehampton, and The Plaza Café in Southampton.

To reserve a National Public Gardens Day tour spot, call the Peconic Land Trust at 631-283-3195. For more information, visit www.peconiclandtrust.org.