The Great Escape: The Humes Japanese Stroll Garden

Today's escape, The Humes Japanese Stroll Garden, is the epitome of all escapes. 

Leave your cell phone home and make your way there by turning right on Mill River Road, off of 25A. When you see signs for Planting Fields turn left at Glen Cove Road. Go the end of the road and make a left on Mill Hill Road/Oyster Bay Road. Take that to the end and make a right on Oyster Bay Road. As you pass Frost Mill Road thickets of bamboo will appear, turn right at the next street, Dogwood Lane. The parking area will be immediately on your right as you see a cluster of clumping bamboo. 

Open only two days a week, Saturday and Sunday, this special place is worth a visit for those who appreciate fine garden design and for visitors who are seeking respite, contemplation, and inner peace.  

When you arrive, seek out an attendant or Garden Manager, Mary C. Schmutz, who is a wealth of information. They can supply you with a map of the garden complete with plant identifications and the history of this serene surrounding. But make sure you have your $7 entrance fee, ready in hand. 

Take time to explore the many facets of this magical and contemplative landscape. There are benches to sit quietly, read, or meditate and the picturesque pond, by the authentic style tea house, is stocked with large colorful koi that practically crawl out of the water as you approach. 

If you are lucky enough to be there on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 1pm until 4pm, you may hear the lovely sounds of a bamboo flute (a shakuhachi), performed live, permeating the garden.

On Saturday, Aug. 13 at 10am, take advantage of a 90-minute public guided tour by the director of the garden, Stephen Morrell, along with a demonstration of a Japanese tea ceremony. Additional tours will be in September and October. Reservations are required and the fee is $12 per person. Private tours are also available.

On display in an outbuilding on the property until Oct. 6 is a new exhibit of Sumi-e paintings by Long Island artist, Sungsook Setton juxtaposed with Ikebana artfully arranged by the volunteers.

While you are in the vicinity and on your way back check out Shu Swamp Nature Preserve. It literally takes five left hand turns to find it--including the left turn out of the Japanese garden parking lot.  As you see the LIRR train trestle, the parking lot will be directly before it on the left. 

This 60-acre sanctuary, also known as the Charles T. Church Nature Preserve, is the antithesis of the stroll garden so make sure you have insect repellent and watch out for poison ivy along the trails. When you get to the boardwalk platform you will get an expansive view of the natural habitat of the area and bring along some fish food to feed the carp. Note: Closed on Fridays.

The Stroll Garden is open 11:30am to 4:30pm from late April until October, children under 12 and members are free. For more information and to print out the map, go here and search under the garden name.

Stroll Garden Phone:  516-676-4486