Just weeks after New York State threatened to close parks in an unprecedented move to close a multibillion-dollar budget gap, officials announced Friday the reopening of the Italian Garden at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay.
The New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony following a 10-year renovation project at the historic Italian Garden, which was originally built in 1916. The picturesque garden was the setting of high society parties at Coe Hall, a Gold Coast mansion at the center of the arboretum.
To celebrate the garden’s return to its prime, there will be a party in the garden Saturday hosted by celebrity Italian chef Lidia Mattichio Bastianich, star of Lidia’s Italy on PBS.
“The world needs beauty, physical, cultural and spiritual oasis,” said David Peikon, arboretum trustee and chairman of the Italian Garden Gala Committee.
The more than $600,000 renovation was funded in part by $400,000 raised by Planting Field’s members and another $100,000 from The Gary Foundation.
The Italian Garden features a tile reflecting pool, restored raised brick walls, bluestone pathways and, of course, an elaborate array of flowers, trees and shrubs.
“This is what we should be doing in all our parks and historical sites,” said Carol Ash, the state parks commissioner. “This type of project is what we hope will keep people involved and make people care about our parks.”
Parks officials added that there will be two more projects at the arboretum, but declined to elaborate.