Bayard Cutting Arboretum
Location: Great River, NY
Size: 691 acres
Date of hike: Dec. 15, 2018
Bayard Cutting Arboretum, which is a state park that features one of the last remaining estates on Long Island's South Shore, is the first arboretum I've ever visited. For those who don't know, an arboretum is a botanical garden devoted to trees. But, in addition to its terrific trees, this park's main attraction for me is likely the six-mile Connetquot River, which is at its widest alongside the arboretum. Having spent my childhood exploring the lovely river within Connetquot River State Park, I was excited to experience it in Bayard.
My pre-hike research told me the land was bought by a man named William Bayard Cutting in 1981 and features a 60-room mansion in the midst of the charming arboretum, which was designed in 1886, according to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's website. The mansion, called "Westbrook," was modeled after a Tudor-style English country house and contains large oak furniture pieces, stained-glass windows and imported fireplaces, among other things. "The estate mansion is maintained in its original style with furnishings typical of the estate era," the website said. In 1936, Bayard Cutting's daughter gifted 200 acres of the estate to the Long Island State Park Commission with the stipulation that she and her mother keep use of the land as long as either of them are alive. The parkland was officially opened to the public in 1954 and was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Today, the park is intended to offer an "oasis of beauty and quiet for the pleasure, rest and refreshment of those who take delight in outdoor beauty," according to the arboretum's website. It also characterized the property as a "passive park," with pets and activities such as biking, picnicking, sports, bathing and games not permitted.
The arboretum's entrance is located on the south side of Montauk Highway (NY Route 27A), just east of Connetquot Avenue. There's an $8 vehicle fee from April through November, and the hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. from April through October and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from November through March. It's closed on Mondays. The parking lot is big enough for a few dozen cars, but it was relatively empty on this day aside from a group of people going to a special event inside the impressive Manor House. Although I didn't take a guided tour, which is available seasonally, I did explore the house's first floor – including a café with stunning views of the Connetquot River. In addition, a retrospective photo exhibit inside the mansion shows that Westbrook was once a "well-known dairy farm that produced glass-bottled milk for sale in local markets," according to the state's website, which also stated that one of the estate's original barns remains in the park's farm area. "It's a wonderful place to relax, read a book, and experience the peace and serenity of estate living in the 1920s and '30s," the site said.
My hike started with the the park's River Walk, which runs parallel to the Connetquot River. "The Connetquot is part of the South Shore Estuary Reserve, a system of interconnected rivers, streams, wetlands and bays," said one of the many signs posted along the route. "Underground springs feed the river with regular supplies of cool, clean and fresh water." Other highlights are Paradise and Breezy islands on opposite ends of the River Walk. Unfortunately, Paradise Island was temporarily closed on this visit because of a recent eagle's nest, but a sign said a bridge was built with local locust trees to blend in with its natural environment in the late 1800s. It was ultimately dismantled during the early 1960s, but the remains can still be seen at low tide. Meanwhile, Breezy Island was created using the soil dredged to accommodate a big steam yacht owned by the nearby Vanderbilt family.
Now, let's talk trees. From what I read, much of Bayard Cutting's original conifer collection was lost as a result of Hurricane Gloria in 1985, but due to subsequent plantings the park's current collections of fir, spruce, pine, cypress, hemlock, yew and lesser-known conifer are "still probably the most extensive to be found on Long Island," the arboretum's website said. "Contained within the collection are several trees which, regionally, are among the largest of their species." Also found throughout the property are extensive plantings of trees such as dwarf evergreens, rhododendrons, azaleas, hollies and oaks. Most of the arboretum trees are labelled so visitors can learn how they might look at home, according to the website.
Regarding wildlife, the arboretum has everything from egrets to herons to ospreys – the latter of which return to breed and raise their young every March. "They seek out the same nests used in past years and repair them to have a headstart on raising their young," a sign said. "During spring and summers, osprey parents raise two or three chicks and feed them fish caught in the river." The arboretum also has a farm that produces vegetables and berries, while over 150 hens provide eggs to the park's community-supported agriculture programs.
In closing, I'd say that Bayard Cutting Arboretum is a must-see spot for all outdoor lovers on Long Island. It has everything from hiking to history to horticulture packed into one location. Plus, the River Walk is the perfect way to experience the splendor of the Connetquot River. And, of course, there's the beautiful trees. After all, what's an arboretum without its trees?
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