One of my goals this summer was to walk at new places instead of the same-old places. Last night I started compiling a list of places I wanted to go. Most are at least a half-hour away.
I decided on two small gardens on Philadelphia's Main Line. Jenkin's Arboretum in Devon, and Stoneleigh in Villanova. They are about 15 minutes apart.
I found out about Jenkin's on social media. I "follow" Uncovering Pennsylvania and an entry in spring was "10 Hidden Gems in Pennsylvania". Jenkin's was on the list. And it's freakin' free!
In 1928 the home and arboretum was the property of H. Lawrence and Elisabeth Phillippe Jenkins. In his will, Mr. Jenkins directed that the property become a “public park, arboretum, and wildlife sanctuary for the study of arboriculture, horticulture, and wildlife for educational and scientific purposes.” It is a living memorial to his wife.
It isn't large but it is beautiful. I would like to go back in spring when the flowers are blooming to see what it really looks like. There are multiple trails and a main trail going around the property's perimeter. I did not take the trails thru rhododendrons and azaleas gardens since I knew they would be just green in July. The tree canopy was substantial so I was often in the shade. Good thing because it was quite hilly. One of my favorite places was the children's garden where there was handcrafted birdhouses.
The base of one of the trees even had a little door for the hobbits to come in and out. When I knocked, no one was home. Or they didn't want to answer the door for a giant.
Stoneleigh, also free, just opened to the public in May. Stoneleigh was the home of the Haas family, who donated the property to Natural Lands in 2016 so that it would remain preserved forever. It took two years to get the property ready for the public. By the time it opened the Lower Marion School District decided that they wanted to seize the property using eminent domain to build a new school and athletic fields. I really don't understand how that works since the property is perpetually conserved, but it sucks. But they are not going down without a fight. "Save Stoneleigh" signs could be seen for at least 10 miles around the property. And they were available in the welcome center. Conservation aside, it's an affluent area. Why would they want athletic fields? The people that live in this area do not have children in public school. In fact the governor just signed a bill that will prevent this situation in the future.
The property is beautiful, Again, I bet it's colorful in April. It quite the contrast to Jenkin's. More structures, less trees. But it calls itself a garden as opposed to an arboretum, so that makes sense. Hopefully in a few years the pergola will be holding plants. The trails thru the property were much less shaded as well.
It was a great day to walk but in these affluent areas I felt underdressed. If I go back I need to wear a polo shirt. Minimum. Or maybe linen.
52-Hike Challenge: 33/52
Miles/Steps: about 3, combined
Bathrooms: I-5 Brand new
Weather: mid-70s, sunny.
Wildlife: Saw and heard a lot of birds. But I honestly don't know what
$ found: one penny in the Jenkins parking lot
Extra: The numbers on the road to the arboretum were very odd. Usually you can follow the numbers to the address -- 400s, 500s, 600s, ect. Each side of the road had a different sequence. It felt like they went to the end of the road, and turned around and kept numbering on the other side.
This hare sculpture was at Stoneleigh. It's a reproduction of the original by the same artist. When the Haas family lived on the estate they would dress the hares for every holiday, key sporting events, ect. The new hares are following the tradition.
No comments:
Post a Comment