Alternative Portfolio 14 John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden

So I decided to visit the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden located in Mill Neck, Long Island, which is a bit of a drive from my home. I have to admit, I would not have gone but for the fact this place is closing its doors for the last time to the public. I thought I need to go visit and show the world what a lovely place this is. I left my house alone, not able to muster any companions, and got onto the LI Expressway which nowadays is very busy. While on the expressway I got cut off, I cut off some irate woman, all the usual stuff on this super highway that has grown massively congested within the last couple of decades (sprawl builders keep building away). I got off the expressway and followed the conga line down 107 into Old Brookville and turned onto Hegemans Lane and then Chicken Valley Road all the way up to where I thought the Garden should be. I of course drive by it and stop to ask someone who was blowing their leaves for directions. Turns out I just passed it by half a mile or so. I turned around and found the Garden with some trouble only to find the gates to the place closed. Well this isn't going so well I thought to myself, the web site said open at 10:30 and here it is after 11:00 am and no one in sight. Maybe I'm at the wrong place? I decided to drive around to find the "real" entry and nothing. I go back to the still closed gates. I walk over to the gate and call the number on the sign and reach the answering machine of a wrong number. OK now my negativity is getting the best of me-why did I come, it was a long frustrating drive, why waste my Saturday morning like this when I have so much to do, who the hell reads my blog anyway....OK relax maybe the place opens at 11:30 am, let's wait. 11:30 comes around and the gates are still closed! Now I am pissed-this wild goose chase has left a bad taste in my mouth! I jumped back in my car and thought surely I'm in the wrong place. I drive out and make a left back onto Chicken Valley, then another left at the nearest cross street, make another left and then another left into a park like area and ask a hippy looking dude, who seemed to be in a unique state of mind, "can you tell me where the Japanese Garden is located?" Sure he says, "make a right out of the lot then another right and another right, you can't miss it" I knew exactly the awful deal. THIS is the last straw. I will drive back to the same spot and take a last look. So off I go again back to where I was just at and viola the gates were open-I drove in like I was driving into heaven, it felt wonderful.

There was the caretaker busily freshening up the place as she watched me park my car. I was the only car in the lot and the only person besides herself. "Welcome" she said, "and what brings you here to this wonderful garden this morning?" I told her (not about my inglorious road adventure) that I wanted to see the place before it closed. Ironically and without telling her about my morning adventure, she, Mary, told me about the garden and it's purpose for cleansing negativity away, a stroll designed to be a walking meditation. Her final words to me were you bring in all your troubles and worries into the garden and leave them there. She also gave me a breif history and description of the place.

The garden was beautiful of course and some great time was had with master Japanese flute player Daniel Nyohaku Soergel  who played "Shakuhachi" at this "Closing Weekend" in the ceremonial Tea house. From the steps of the Tea House Daniel described to those listening, about the Japanese flute and how they are made, how sound is produced in them etc. He also spoke about being in the moment, a Zen Buddhist's philosophy or better yet a way of living. He told us of becoming so in the moment it's like being in and out of consciousness; Your attention is focused on one thing not for long, as you fall between states of "Walking unconsciousness".  I still remember his words after playing a tune, "Worry, what worry?" It worked for me, and apparently others. As I was sitting on the steps of the Tea House listening to Daniel play a peaceful mysterious piece on the flute, I looked over and spotted a kid, Caucasian-Asian mix, who had to be maybe 10 years old or so in meditation, sitting with closed eyes and finger tips touching in that classic meditative pose, just being there-I was impressed.

One last thought about the day; As I drove on the congested roadways along side thousands of fellow citizens on my way to the Garden I realized no one cares about this wonderful place. I thought the Garden would be jam packed on this last "Closing Weekend" but sadly no, a hand full of people were to be found there. Maybe I'm too critical of people; Maybe it's tough to be in the contemplative, worthy cause arena, trust me I know from my experience with this blog. It bothers me that society praises popular culture which leaves out worthy places such as this Garden....On reflection maybe I did not leave all my negativity in the garden.

Brief History of Garden (From Garden Guide): This special garden was created by Ambassador and Mrs. John P. Humes following a visit to Japan in 1960. Later that year, inspired by their visit, Ambassador Humes purchased the Tea House that still stands in the garden and hired a Japanese-American landscape gardener, Douglas Defaya, and his wife , Joan. Over the next four years the DeFayas transformed two acres of rolling woodland on Long Island's North Shore into an exceptional Japanese stroll garden.

Martha at the John P. Humes Stroll Garden

Some pics I took during my visit:

Some more pics...

Improving Suburbia Portfolio 7, Chandler Park

Chandler Park in Mount Sinai, NY is an unusual place, not because of what it is but because of what it's not. Never heard of it?  Not surprising since you won't find any inviting signs on the street indicating, here is "Chandler Park".

Marilyn at Chandler

You also won't find it in your navigation system as when I tried looking for driving directions to this place. So why was I going there and how did I eventually find it you may be asking?  I joined a "Meet-up" group that does ecology hiking and decided that would be fun to do, so I signed up for the Chandler Park hike. Rather than call for directions I did a google search of the park and read somewhere that you park your car at a Mount Sinai church: that was good enough for me. I rationalized there will be a sign and an obvious public parking area as with most parks. As I approached the church I pulled into its parking lot. I saw no sign for the park so I stopped a bicyclist who was passing by and asked the old man if he knew where Chandler park was. Unbeknownst to me I was very close to the park, on the other side of the parking lot to be precise. The old man bicyclist tried to discourage me from visiting by telling me it was not much of a park and no open space etc. Protectionist? Concerned citizen? A stranger looking out for my well being or more likely his own well being? I don't know but I told him I was meeting a group there and he begrudgingly pointed me to the other side of the parking lot. So I parked at the Mount Sinai Congregational Church and we walked to the back and that's where I found Chandler Park. However I still found no park sign that stated, "Chandler Park" except for a typical  Suffolk County parks signage, that was it. Who is this park named after? I don't know maybe someone can answer in the comments below. During my google search I found out a few interesting things about this "hidden park" 1- It is also known as "Satan's Trail" with claims of paranormal activity complete with a haunted house (since demolished) 2- It was once a waterfront resort area where Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller stayed one summer. 3- the resort later would become residential apartments and 4-finally demolition of all the structures taking it back to its natural wild state to be used as a park with trails for hiking.

So we began our hike. These steps were found shortly into the trail. Along with a couple of other man made features these are some of the only remnants of anything having ever been built here .

We walked on and I have to say not being a hard core naturalist as my companions were, I did enjoy the change of scenic beauty, from woodland, to marsh to sandy beach to open grass fields and back to woodland. With each change of scenic scenery and elevation, you could feel the change in climate as well:

Along the way, heading down to the marsh area I found the foundation of a boathouse (I believe)....

As for the paranormal activity I did not experience any first hand but found some evidence of it -OK not really evidence but some interesting things:

I thought nobody else was around?

OK, so you may be asking why I am writing about a park in a blog for architecture? You are justified in thinking or critiquing me for that. I thought this was an interesting story of "development" in reverse; nature claiming back man's desire to build, his need to leave a mark, make a statement, build shelter to survive. Here is a place that shows us what ultimately will become of all our building endeavors.  I covered this "architectural" story ( I know that is very debatable) in my "Improving Suburbia Portfolio" series which is ironic since " Improving Suburbia through Nature" may be a more accurate title...a place more about what it's not than what it is, at least for me.

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Improving Suburbia Portfolio #6 Westhampton Business District

A mighty attempt is being made by developers of the "Hampton Business District" to step up the quality level of typical commercial development and for that they should be commended and make my "Improving Suburbia Portfolio".  The "walking Girl", commissioned by the Hampton developers, is stirring up much controversy and many seem to not like it.  To those people I say, an attempt at art even if you don't agree with it should be applauded; Be thankful it's not another housing development, or cheap strip mall. I suggest to all you "Walking Girl" detractors to offer up some tangible alternatives.

The Hampton Business District is located on the grounds of the Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, NY

Interesting article: Walking Girl, Westhampton Beach

Improving Suburbia Portfolio 5, William J Lindsay life Sciences Building

Here is a building that makes my ISP portfolio because it was built in the middle of suburbia, on the Suffolk Community College Campus. The first modern building of note to be built on the campus in 50 years. It's also LEED certified. For more info visit: SCC Life Science Building

Improving Suburbia Portfolio 4

ARTSPACE

Imagine a building built solely for artists, what a great idea. I think most people would agree supporting the arts and those that are artists themselves is a great thing. However, as an architect, I find this to be more than a great idea but a victory for society. I had no idea such a place existed, especially in the suburbs but this one does in Patchogue, New York and for that it makes my ISP portfolio series. For more info visit this website: artspace