Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park

BAYARD CUTTING ARBORETUM STATE PARK
Oakdale, New York

A beautiful oasis

One of Long Island's jewels is the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, a 690 acre park of open meadows, lawns, marshy refuge and wildflower garden. It is known for its pinetum (conifer collection) of fir, spruce, pine, cypress, hemlock and other conifers from all parts of the world. Many broadleaf trees, dwarf evergreens and champion-sized trees are part of the original plantings. The native trees were thinned out to encourage the remaining ones to expand into specimen trees. The entire property is not artificially landscaped or carefully trimmed. Only about a third of the property is horticultural garden. The rest is natural woodland of pitch pine and oak with two ponds and streamlets providing food and refuge for land and aquatic birds, foxes, raccoons and other wildlife.

The landscaping is an outstanding example of informal planting in the English tradition. One rarely sees such an abundance of flowering lilac, dogwood, rhododendron, azaleas, hollies, oaks and native flowers. The overall effect is surprisingly natural, with wildflowers and daffodils in native woodland settings. The trees are labeled and visitors can easily learn how to identify them. Autumn foliage adds rich color as the growing season ends. Even in winter the evergreens are striking, but the garden is at its best in late spring, when rhododendrons are blooming and the woodlands abound in wild lily of the valley.

Wandering through the park one cannot help but compare the artistry of man and that of nature. Looping trails connect garden walkways to the natural areas. The paths have appropriate names such as Wildflower Walk at the south end of the park and Rhododendron Walk, through oak woodlands and around ponds, which are well marked and connected. The Bird Watchers Walk starts in the formal gardens within sight of the mansion and trails along the river shoreline, meadows and through native woods and wetlands. The Long Island Greenbelt Trail runs adjacent to the formal gardens, but on the other side of Montauk Highway. You can use a trail map though even if you explore side trails they will loop back to the blazed trail.

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum was the family estate of William Bayard Cutting built in 1886. It was donated to the Long Island State Park Region in his memory by his wife and her daughter who wanted the community to enjoy its beauty and tranquility. It is located between East Islip and Oakdale south of SR 27on the west bank of the scenic Connetquot River, on Long Island's south shore.

The graceful shingle style mansion stands on rolling lawns that slope down to the river. One can relax on the wisteria-framed porch and bless the family for their generosity while enjoying the view of the magnificent park which is an oasis of beauty and quiet. Go through the house and admire the exquisitely carved antique English oak mantelpiece and furniture that adorn the beautiful rooms. Among the most striking features are glowing Tiffany windows in marble walls. The former dining room features a 14th century fireplace and mantel from a French Chateau, carved furniture and doors and a beautiful tapestry wall, covering the cabinets.

Many things from the original Cutting Estate have disappeared, such as the tennis courts, the Locust Bridge, bowling green, water tower, vegetable and flower gardens, log cabins, dog cemetery and greenhouse. Today the park is home to a horticultural center containing a vast plant, tree and shrub collection, a lovely gift shop and a small Natural History Museum, featuring an extensive collection of mounted birds. Concerts, meetings, educational programs and exhibits by horticultural and performing arts groups are some of the regular programs.

Directions: Grand Central Pkwy to Northern Pkwy, or the LI Expressway to Sagtikos State Parkway, south to Southern State Pkwy, east to Heckscher State Parkway, south to Montauk Hwy (Rte 27A, exit 45E) to the Arboretum. From Eastern Long Island: Sunrise Highway (Route 27) west to Southern State Parkway, south to exit 45E (Route 27A), east on Route 27A to Arboretum.

Season: The park is open Tuesday through Sunday, plus legal holidays, from 10 a.m. to sunset.

Facilities: Bayard Cutting Arboretum is an oasis of beauty and quiet and refreshment of outdoor beauty. The current collection of fir, spruce, pine, cypress, hemlock and other conifers is probably the most extensive to be found on Long Island. Also found are extensive plantings of dwarf evergreens, rhododendron, azaleas, hollies and oaks, wildflowers and daffodils. With the park's ponds and streamlets, these plantings provide food and homes for land and aquatic birds, fox, raccoon and other wildlife.

Information: General (631) 581-1002