Strolling into the Future

by DIG-IT

Since 1982 the destiny of the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden has been in a state of flux, its future rarely certain. Outside circumstances have often threatened this peaceful oasis, but its strength and loveliness have somehow rallied forces to help it survive. It is now a Garden Conservancy Preservation Project. Read the story

Where It's Been:
- 1960: John P. Humes hired a married Japanese team to design a stroll garden after one he saw in Kyoto. The couple's layout is still seen in the older part of the garden with limestone paths.
- Stephen Morrel spent a year in Europe at public gardens.
- Morrel later worked with landscape architect.
- 1970s: Stephen Morrel was a student of horticulture/landscape design at New York Botanical Garden when John P. Humes contacted NYBG. Because of Morrel's interest in Japanese gardens, NYBG recommended him to Humes, who hired him to restore and care for his garden.
- 1982: Ambassador Humes's demanding business abroad left the garden on the road to decline.
- 1982: Morrel started full-time as curator and worked to develop the garden as a public facility.
- 1985: Ambassador Humes died. The garden teetered on the brink of closure until 1992.
- 1992 to Present: The Garden Conservancy adopted it as a Preservation Project and took over management.

"There is such talent with Steven Morrel," says Laura Palmer, director of the Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program. "It's so important for people to know about the Garden. Because of the development pressures every year it seems there are more homes and less green space."

The Conservancy manages the property in agreement with the Humes family and the Foundation which was started by Ambassador Humes. They also work with the Friends of the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden to help raise money for the Garden. "There are plans now for developing a visitor center and some basic structures there so we're beginning a long range plan for the Garden and determining how to best raise money and garner support for it too to make those changes and improvements. We are determining what resources are needed for the garden," she says.

For starters, Morrel would like to build a 30x60-foot seasonal visitor center on a raised deck over the stream. Its presence above the landscape would continue the Garden's philosophic and spiritual tradition of respect of the land. But building a visitor center is dependent on securing funds.

Morrel would also like to see the Garden become more self-sufficient. The Humes Japanese Garden Foundation is not sufficient to support the garden, he says, which also relies on visitor admissions and plant sales. Right now, the remainder of the private estate is up for sale.

"We're hoping the sale will help the Garden but it's yet to be determined how," explains Palmer. "It's a pivotal moment for the Garden because the adjoining property is for sale. We don't know what the property next to the Garden is going to look like. We use some of the resources that are part of that property, so that's why we're looking ahead to the future needs as far as office space and a general visitor center."

Morrel privately owns Connecticut-based Contemplative Landscapes, but designs, installs, and maintains gardens in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He only takes on two or three new gardens a year belonging to people who are passionate and understand long-term maintenance needs, and if the site is interesting.

To become a member or get more info: The Garden Conservancy: Preservation Projects
Tours and volunteering: 516-676-4486

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