Serenity Now! Long Island
A peace-promoting park!
“Life is determinedly vital. Our responsibility is to recognize its innate value, and treasure it,” notes the official website of Avalon Park & Preserve in Stony Brook. This park (8 acres) and the surrounding preserve (76 acres) promote peace and being one with nature to the fullest, with five distinct natural habitats, hiking trails, yoga in the barn, meditation classes, bird-watching walks, a labyrinth, and telescopes at the observatory. It also offers environmental programs for kids during the summer and if you look hard enough, you may find some trees wearing sweaters, among other public art pieces integrated with the nature.
Old Westbury Gardens
The former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps, and their four children is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Today, Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages for guided tours, programs, museum exhibits, concerts, and more. 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. 516-333-0048, oldwestburygardens.org
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Oyster Bay has a historic reputation of its own on Long Island and is also home to many wealthy estates. One of which is that which belonged to the W.R. Coe family and is now open to the public as the Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park.
visitors can tour 400 acres of greenery and gardens while stopping to tour the Tudor-style mansion that the W.R. Coe family once called their home. Still featuring the original details, this mansion is one of a kind on Long Island and gives gorgeous views of the surrounding fields. There are 65 rooms in total with most featuring the original wood and intricate stone details.
Bayard Cutting Arbotetum
The Bayard Cutting Arboretum was donated to the public by Mrs. William Bayard Cutting and Mrs. Oliva James, her daughter, in memory of husband and father William Bayard Cutting. The donation, according to the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, was given with intent 'to provide an oasis of beauty and quiet for the pleasure, rest and refreshment of those who delight in outdoor beauty,' and that is exactly what it does.
Sources
https://www.longislandpress.com/2019/07/10/7-best-places-to-relax-on-long-island/
https://www.iloveny.com/blog/post/secrets-of-long-island/
https://www.thetravel.com/most-beautiful-places-on-long-island/
