Untermyer Park and Gardens

Untermyer Park and Gardens
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
New York State Register of Historic Places
Sphinxes atop paired ionic columns in the amphitheater of the Walled Garden (2020)
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Interactive map showing the location for Untermyer Park and Gardens
Location	945 North Broadway Yonkers, New York
Coordinates	40°58′0″N 73°53′16″W / 40.96667°N 73.88778°W / 40.96667; -73.88778
Area	43 acres (17 ha)
Built	c.1916-1940
Architect	William W. Bosworth
Architectural style	various
NRHP reference No.	74002263[1]
NYSRHP No.	11940.000003
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	May 31, 1974
Designated NYSRHP	June 23, 1980

Untermyer Park and Gardens is a historic 43-acre (17 ha) city public park, located in Yonkers, New York in Westchester County, just north of New York City. The park is a remnant of Samuel Untermyer's 150-acre (61 ha) estate "Greystone". Situated on the steep land arising from the eastern bank of the Hudson River to the bluff on top of it, the park's principal feature is the Walled Garden, inspired by ancient Indo-Persian gardens, in which are found a small Grecian-style open-air amphitheater with two opposing sphinxes crouching atop paired Ionic columns; a classical pavilion; a stoa and loggias; and a circular, open-air tempietto called the Temple of the Sky. A long staircase leads from the Walled Garden to an Overlook with views of the river and the Palisades.

The gardens were developed beginning in 1916 by Untermyer, a prominent lawyer and civic leader, and were designed by architect and landscape designer William W. Bosworth, with fountains by Charles Wellford Leavitt, and sculptures by Paul Manship and other artists. The gardens were regularly opened to the public, hosted performances of noted dancers, actors and musicians, and were considered to be among the finest gardens in the United States.

When Untermyer died in 1940, he had hoped to donate the whole estate to the United States, or the State of New York, or at least to the City of Yonkers. Eventually Yonkers agreed to accept part of the estate. The parcel, which was the core of the gardens, and which has been added to since that time, was renamed Untermyer Park and Gardens in his honor.^[2] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.^[1]

Untermyer Gardens have recently undergone a significant campaign of restorations, which is continuing.^[3]