Oyster Bay Garden Tour Raises Nearly $19K For Downtown Beautification Projects

NORTH SHORE, NY — The Oyster Bay Main Street Association raised $18,919.65 through its annual Garden Tour, with proceeds supporting beautification projects throughout Oyster Bay.

According to organizers, the funds will help pay for seasonal landscaping, hanging flower baskets, streetscape enhancements, and other improvements designed to keep the downtown area welcoming.

Held on June 18, the Garden Tour gave attendees a rare opportunity to explore three private North Shore properties in Locust Valley, Centre Island, and Mill Neck. Guests enjoyed refreshments and light bites while touring the yards before gathering for a cocktail reception at the Coach Meeting House in Oyster Bay.

Each estate carries its own personality and history. The 17-acre Locust Valley estate used to be home to J.P. Morgan Jr.'s son Junius Spencer Morgan III. Built in 1916 as part of a larger 33-acre property and as a wedding gift to Junius, the Tudor Revival manor was designed by architect Roger H. Bullard and sits on grounds originally shaped by the Olmsted Brothers.

The estate features century-old oak trees, a putting green and one-hole golf course, a bamboo garden, and a collection of unique sculptures scattered throughout the landscape.

Friends gathered over drinks, sharing laughs and taking in the scenery before heading to the next estate on the tour.

Rather than showcasing expansive botanical displays, the tour highlights the character and history of private North Shore properties, from manicured lawns and mature trees to unique garden features and outdoor gathering spaces. The tour is a unique way to spend a spring day with friends outdoors and contribute to a larger cause.

Maureen O'Donnell Hardiman, a longtime attendee, said the event offers a unique opportunity to experience beautiful gardens while supporting the local community.

"The Oyster Bay Garden Tour is a gift to us all," she said. "To be able to tour beautiful gardens of estates in Oyster Bay, including refreshments offered at each property by Oyster Bay restaurants, is so special."

Executive Director of OBMSA Jaqueline Cipolla encourages Oyster Bay residents to attend next year.

"The Garden Tour is not only a wonderful opportunity to spend the day with friends surrounded by beautiful gardens, but also a chance to support the ongoing efforts to keep Oyster Bay looking its best and thriving for generations to come," she said.

Cipolla said the event was made possible by committee co-chairs Colleen McKean and Danielle Olesen, along with committee members Regina Walsh, Domenica Askeland, Diane Barrios, Jeannine Tepper, Mercy Meyers, and Gail Singer