daffodils for COVID-19 patients and medical staff-photo by Jessica Norman
Sometimes we all forget that in the middle of the Coronavirus, springtime is here. One of the recurring pleasures of spring is to enjoy the different flowers that come into full bloom. In Yonkers, now the hot spot of COVID-19 in Westchester, the great treasure of Untermyer Gardens has been the best place to say goodbye to winter and the enjoy the springtime fresh air and the thousands of flowers throughout the 43- acre, Hudson river front location and former home of Samuel Untermyer.
The Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, which works in partnership with the City of Yonkers to restore Untermyer Park and Gardens, has been closed to the public since March 20 on account of the pandemic. Over 30,000 daffodils have been planted by the Conservancy over the years and they are now coming into full bloom. Because the flowers are inaccessible to the public this year, the Conservancy has decided to harvest nearly 10,000 daffodils for distribution to hospitals and nursing homes.
“During this time of great national crisis,” said Stephen F. Byrns, president of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, “this will be a sign of hope at springtime. We want to show our solidarity with those who are caring for the sick, infirm and aged, and bring some brightness and color into their lives.
“Of course nobody’s suffered more than healthcare workers and people in hospitals, so we decided to put two and two together and get a bunch of volunteers and just cut, cut, cut.”
The daffodils at Untermyer gardens were cut by volunteers wearing masks and gloves while keeping at least six feet apart outdoors. They were arranged and dropped off at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Richmond Children’s Center, and Adira at Riverside earlier this month.
This story of putting their flowers to good use at Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers has been picked up by the NYC media, and perhaps will be used as an example for the larger gardens in our region to get their beauty out to those who could use it.
Byrns added that the tulips at Untermyer will soon be in bloom, and if we are not open as a community by then, he hopes to share them again and find a welcome home for them.
More important, the example of Untermyer Gardens Conservancy should give us all the desire to give back and make a difference during this difficult time. If you have an inspiring or uplifting story to share, email it to us at dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com .
And visit untermyergardens.org to learn more, and to plan your visit when this is over.
