project description

Originally a private estate, Greenwood Gardens opened to the public in 2011 under the direction of a non-profit conservation organization. The 28-acre estate features Italianate garden terraces, grottos, fountains and statuary, meandering moss-covered paths, allées of London plane and spruce trees, and wildflower meadows. Greenwood welcomes thousands of visitors annually for guided group tours, on-site programming in nature, art, history, and conservation, as well as special events.

RAS provided complete oversight of the first phase of the garden renovation that marked the transition from private estate to public garden. The scope of work included the entrance drive and visitor parking, reconstruction of original terraces and pergolas closest to the home, and planting design. Complete utility upgrades, including site lighting and stormwater management system, were integrated sensitively with the historic landscape.

In 2018 RAS began work on an extensive second phase of renovation plans with two key components: revitalization of the deterioating central gardens and expansion of visitor parking. This work included full reconstruction of existing garden pools and fountains, conservation and maintenance repairs to existing statuary, planting design, and site lighting. Due to site constraints, the parking lot expansion was carefully located amid mature trees, replacing the estate’s unused tennis court and abandoned swimming pool.. The new parking has increased three fold from the previous capacity. A rain garden was installed with a rich palette of ecologically beneficial native plants to absorb stormwater and minimize the environmental impact of the parking lot improvements.

Featured: Traditional Building Magazine· Nov 6, 2015
Photo Credit: Ken Druse