Asian Garden Proposed for Port Washington

Plans are underway for a proposed Asian garden in Blumenfeld Family Park in Port Washington.

A gift from the Port Washington Parks Conservancy for the garden's design drawings was accepted by the North Hempstead Town Board at its Jan. 8 meeting.

The proposed garden is to feature plantings and Asian theme, which will include paths and bridges, according to the town. Also proposed: a usable teahouse.

The Port Washington Parks Conservancy was founded by concerned citizens of Port Washington. The not-for-profit group secured nearly $1 million in funding from Nassau County Environmental Bond Act, New York State Environmental Protection Fund, the town and private donations to complete the restoration of Stannards Brook Park.

The Parks Conservancy hosted a grand opening celebration in May 2012 for the newly restored park boasting three newly-constructed foot bridges, Adirondack style entrance ways, benches, and new native plantings alongside the brook and pathways.

Funding for the Asian garden will include Environmental Protection Agency grants but will mostly come from private sector financing, Conservancy officials said.

 “It’s an opportunity for the town to partner with a private group to beautify its parks and to create a garden that celebrates the cultural diversity of North Hempstead and recognizes the growing Asian population in North Hempstead and particularly in Port Washington,” said Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio.

Editor's note: This article was updated to reflect new information from the town that the gift received by the town was the design drawings, not plantings.