Renovations and improvements continue at Untermyer Gardens, sparking interest and increased attendance every year. Above is a photo of the restored Persian Pool with financial support from the Iranian-American community, the City of Yonkers and State of New York
By Dan Murphy
Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers continues to be one of the top tourist attractions in Westchester, with 175,000 visitors in 2023, a 43% increase from the 100,000 visitors in 2022. The revival of this historic hidden gem is thanks to the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, which was founded in 2011 by Stephen Byrns to facilitate the restoration of the 43 acres of gardens, pools, statues and monuments that sit overlooking the Hudson River in Northwest Yonkers.
Untermyer Park and Gardens is a City of Yonkers public park, which fell into disrepair until Byrns and the Conservancy began to raise funds for its restoration. Byrns said the improvements will continue in 2024. “Projects this year include restored mosaic of Medusa in the Temple of the Sky, continued improvements to the carriage trail and a new garage. The ornamental vegetable garden will be maintained by three teams of 18 Yonkers public high school students. This will be the first year to observe the meadow planting to begin to mature. Finally, the gardeners will begin to lay out the new Stumpery at the lower switchback near a restored fountain.”
Upcoming events in the summer include The Minnie Untermyer Concert Series takes place from June through September in our amphitheater, including Persian music, jazz, classical guitar, two dance performances and a world famous theremin performer from California, Armen Ra. The Westchester Philharmonic will perform in July at our Christine Kenney O’Rourke Memorial Concert.
“I am pleased that in our thirteenth year, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy will be in a position to have ten gardeners working at Untermyer Gardens in what we believe is the most important garden restoration project in our nation’s history,” said Byrns, who thanked Mayor Mike Spano and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for their support.
March Events at Untermyer Gardensm which can be found at www.untermyergardens.org, include:
Sunday, March 3, 9:00-10:30 AM. Winter Bird Walk. $20. For details and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/825203896067?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday, March 9, 10:30-11:30 AM. Build a Birdhouse. $40 includes all materials. For details and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/build-a-birdhouse-registration-811615733507
Saturday, March 9, 9:00-10:30 AM. Winter Bird Walk. $20. For details and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-bird-walk-march-10-2024-registration-825379511337
Monday, March 11, 6:00-8:00 PM. Winter Lecture: Welles Bosworth, Architect of Untermyer Gardens, Kykuit, and More. $35 in person, $25 recording online. For details and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/welles-bosworth-architect-of-untermyer-gardens-kykuit-and-more-registration-820403267257
Saturday, March 23, 10:00-12:00. Pruning Basics. $25. For details and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pruning-basics-registration-814316110407.
Visit Untermyergardens.org for more information.
