Please enjoy these before and after pictures of the JP Humes Japanese Stroll Garden in New York. This Japanese garden is now featured in Architectural Digest’s new book “Outstanding American Gardens” showcasing the best gardens in America. It is a 4-acre Japanese garden that is open to the public and provides a retreat for peaceful strolls and contemplation, located in Mill Neck, New York.

Emil Kreye & Son was delighted to be asked by the Garden Conservancy to undertake the pond restoration and creation of a rock garden and waterfall for this national treasure. The restoration of the pond included total excavation of the area, followed by construction of a 30′ long dam with a spillway. Bottom intake and sediment tanks were installed for circulation. In addition to the pond restoration, Emil Kreye & Son also designed and built an 8’ high rock ridge and a waterfall flowing into the newly renovated pond.

Read what Wikepedia says about the garden and its noteworthy features.

“The garden was begun in 1960 for Ambassador and Mrs. John P. Humes upon their return from Japan, and built over the next four years. In 1980 it was donated to the Wild Life Sanctuary, and opened to the public in 1987. In 1993 the Garden Conservancy assumed management of the garden.”

“Of special interest in the garden are the tea house, tea garden, stone lanterns, mosses, waterfall, pond, and a collection of related North American and Asian plants. “

“The garden is built on steeply sloping terrain, and aims to invoke the sensation of a remote mountain village. It contains a lake and tea house. Moving through the garden, where the views, textures and balance of elements have been planned following Japanese aesthetic principles, visitors experience a walking meditation inducing inner peace. Stepping stones are used to control the rate at which one moves through the garden, encouraging moment-to-moment reflection. The garden suggests a hillside landscape beside the sea, where gravel paths represent streams that form pools and cascades, eventually flowing into the ocean represented by a pond.”