Tucked away in Short Hills, Greenwood Gardens is one of New Jersey’s prettiest hidden gems. The sprawling, Italian-inspired estate formerly owned by the Blanchard family is now a public garden with a new reason to visit. After three years and a $2.7 million restoration, the garden’s 100-year-old Cascade Fountain was unveiled this week.
The fountain is constructed of tile, stucco and stone, and adorned with custom-glazed shell and leaf Rookwood tiles. The twin staircases remain, leading to an upper terrace. There used to be planters and retaining walls covered in ivy, but the current landscape design is much simpler. The Dragon Fountain Pool has been completely removed from the base of the fountain.
You can now walk along the steps of the flowing water fountain toward the main house, where you’ll get a panoramic view of the 28-acre property.
Greenwood Gardens has 28 acres of terraced gardens, woodlands, meadows, grottos, fountains and other water features, sculptures, ceramic works, intricate stonework, arbors, and winding paths that date back to the early 20th century.
You can take your own self-guided tour and wander the property, climbing stairs and walking across open spaces, heading down to the water to see if you can spot turkeys and goats. There are tulips, cherry blossom trees and peonies that add color to the lush green landscapes. Make sure you walk up the steps of the fountain, which lead you to a patio behind the main house that offers a sweeping view of the property.
The History Behind the Restored Cascading Fountain at Greenwood Gardens
The late Peter P. Blanchard III (he passed away in 2022 at age 70) lived on the estate with his parents Peter P. Blanchard Jr. and Adelaide Childs Frick Blanchard (who died when Peter III was only 5). After Peter Jr. passed away in 2000, Peter III and his wife Sofia honored his wishes of turning the property into a public garden, which opened to the public in 2013.
During the grand unveiling of the restored fountain on April 28, Sofia said how she met her future husband in January 1998, and that July Peter took her to visit his father at Greenwood. Sofia got a personal tour of the gardens, and recalls stopping in front of the fountain – built in 1916 as the defining feature of the Italian garden. Peter called it the “trickiest” piece of the property, remembering that it hadn’t worked for most of his childhood.
Three years ago, Louise Moos, chairman of the Board of Trustees for Greenwood, kicked off fundraising efforts for the fountain in an effort to preserve and revitalize the property. She said the rhythm of the movement of the water offers visitors a calming place to recharge and reconnect with nature. The renovation cost $2.7 million.
The Honorable Dr. Eileen Poiani, commissioner of the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission, read a citation recognizing the fountain’s Italian-inspired artistry and its connection to Italy’s rich cultural heritage. She shared that the fountain is based on Carlo Maderno’s 57th-century design for Villino Conti in Frascati, Italy.
What to Know Before You Visit Greenwood Gardens
Strollers are not allowed anywhere on the grounds, but you can keep them in an area on the East Terrace.
Bring your own food and sit at Adelaide’s Cafe, but you can’t picnic anywhere else. You can get some snacks at the Welcome Center, which also has a gift shop.
You may spot ducks, geese, turkeys and chickens on the property. Enjoy watching them from a safe distance, and remind the kids not to chase or approach the animals.
There are no pick-your-own fields, so leave the plants and flowers undisturbed. Blankets and chairs are not permitted, but there are benches throughout the property where you can sit and take a break.
You cannot go inside the main house or cottages.
More to Do in the AreaÂ
Mayor Frank Saccomandi IV said Greenwood Gardens gives visitors a reason to come to Millburn and Short Hills, where they can have lunch downtown and browse local shops. He said residents love Greenwood because it’s rare to have a world-class historic public garden in the heart of busy town. More than a destination, he described it as a place of respite from the hectic pace of daily life.
Greenwood is part of the 2,110 acres of South Mountain Reservation, preserved parkland among the Watchung Mountains that also includes the 36-mile Lenape Trail, Hemlock Falls, Washington Rock (a Revolutionary War historic site), and the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex (Turtle Back Zoo, TreeTop Adventure Course, miniGolf Safari, Codey Arena ice rink, Regatta Playground and the waterfront).
Greenwood Gardens is located at 274 Old Short Hills Rd., Short Hills. Greenwood will reopen on May 1, and the hours are 10 am to 5 pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (last entry is 3:30 pm). Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors 65+ and students with IDs, $5 for kids ages 3 to 12, and free for Members and kids under 3.
To see the beauty of the gardens and the new Cascade Fountain, visit our Instagram page.
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