I knew nothing of the 'volcano' when I decided to go. My destination was chosen solely based on proximity to my parent's place, as I'm still hanging with Mom and Dad as Dad recovers from his broken hip. He's doing very well.
I arrived and started walking about, it is not obvious where to go. There are some buildings adjacent to the parking lot, but no map kiosk as with other parks in the Monmouth County system.
And thus I stumbled upon this somewhat unkempt fish pond. With both koi, which like this one were expecting handouts, and tiny perhaps native fish, that wanted nothing to do with me.
Eventually I found my way to the visitors center.
The original house mysteriously burnt to the ground after the mob boss of the Vesuvius post hightailed it to Italy in 1937. This house was built by subsequent owners Karl and Marjorie Sperry Wihtol and donated to the park service along with the gardens in 1977. Monmouth County purchased some additional land to add to the park which is now some 54 acres.
The current building was built on the location of the prior house in 1953 and today has a somewhat obscured view of the formal garden down the hill. Seems the trees have grown some over the years.
About the volcano area are these stone pools, the terraced water pools of a traditional Italian garden.
And the rather gnarly trees which have overgrown the paths. I like them.
See the house? Me neither. Just trees. And rocks and steps.
I'm sure this garden looks quite grandiose in bloom.
But now, not so much.
Apparently I missed Hot Cocoa season.
"Floribunda" is actually a rose cultivar, having nothing to do with cocoa, hot or otherwise. Bummer.
The rest of the property was a mix of natural woods and ponds, ruins, and park installations.
Wildlife was scarce. I saw American Robins like the one shown above and Song Sparrows.
And the pond had a variety of calling frogs. Although try as I might I did not see a single one. And they were calling right at my feet.
Not gonna be a problem.
Another of the "ruins" I mentioned. Not sure what this was or was supposed to be.
It was then a nice saunter through the woods.
As will the gardens, very little greenery.
This is a deer fence, it completely enclosed the park. I'm not sure if the vines are load bearing or just the load.
Rabbits are not the issue.
This it a bonsai exhibit. Yep, fooled me too. Until I looked into it.
Bonsai trees. A rather odd installation.
There were flowers.
Albeit not many.
On the hillside around form the rock pools. The so called "Japanese-themed garden" on the map.
There were several greenhouses, but only this one was open to the public. With signs on each door asking visitors not to take anything.
🚶♂️ 🌷 🚶♂️ 🌳 🚶♂️
An nice little park with an interesting history. And likely the last of my wanderings in the Monmouth County Park System, as Dad is getting better, my siblings will taking over parent sitting, and Mom and Dad will be moving in May, to an assisted living complex not far from where my youngest sister lives. It was nice getting to visit some places that I otherwise would not have. But I'll be glad when Mom and Dad are happily, and safely, ensconced in their new home.
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