Please excuse my ignorance as I share a quick story about my vision of the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. I did know from reading their brochure that it was well known for its extensive collection of firs, spruce, pine, Cyprus, hemlock , yews and other lesser known conifers and is still probably the most extensive to be found on Long Island.

There was a time when I was interested in trees and such and tried doing some rooting from cuttings of trees. I recall using Rootone, a kind of hormone, to help the action of rooting. It was my thought that this arboretum has such trees grown from cuttings, therefore the name of the park "Cutting Arboritum". What I didn't know was what bayard meant. I thought it may have been an agricultural term I wasn't privy too. I even took a step further thinking it might have been some kind of maritime word because the estate is on a river that empties into a bay. Well colour me bright red. The words Bayard Cutting is the name of the person who once owned the land.

Upon walking the grounds we read a sign noting that this is a different kind of state park. It was a donation from Mrs Cutting and her daughter in memory of William Bayard Cutting. The brochure also noted that the landscape was designed utilizing plans by the noted landscape architectural firm of Frederick Law Olmstead. That man had his hand in designing NYC's Central Park and many, many other grand landscapes.

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum

This huge estate is on the Connetquot River on Long Island's south shore. It has a number of things to do and visit. It also has a list of what you can't do. No climbing trees, bicycles, pets, bathing, ball playing, picnicking or camping. It's a quiet serene atmosphere the park looks to enhance.

The mansion is partially open to the public with a few rooms to view. It also contains a gift shop and a lovely little cafe that serves light lunch inside and on an outside porch with a view. We enjoyed the laid back simplicity of the cafe and the beautiful view it offered. The mansion itself did not impress me. Too dark and dreary for my taste.

The estate has much river-front property and notable stands of trees to study and appreciate. Walking paths criss-cross the property. A small map can be had at the mansion. Perhaps it is given at the pay station on days a fee is taken.

A Dahlia garden is also maintained by a local group. The property is home for migratory birds and an osprey nest is on an island that is part of the property. I don't believe they have to pay the state park fees. I have to learn to fly. A small bridge opens the way to walk the paths of the island. Once in a while the sounds of a train will break the quiet as goes by cutting through the property line.

Our Day

We started, as it seems many do, with a walk along the river. My wife had her camera and took advantage of the views by taking many an image. There were benches to sit on and the wild Montauk Daisies were in full bloom. Varied water fowl were easily seen on, above and nearby the river. After perhaps a half an hour we made it the small bridge and island. The paths are a little more rough but still would be rated as an easy hike. The terrain is mostly level and paths groomed with pea gravel that disappears on the island.

Going back we walked inland perhaps a hundred yards or so and checked out the Dahlia gardens. WOW!! They were in full bloom and quite shapely and colourful. There was a delightful wall of many brightly coloured bird houses as a background to the Dahlia gardens.

After studying some signs informing us of the displayed farming equipment we were looking at as we made our way through the Pinetum Walk that had huge pines of all sorts beautifully set together over a large piece of land. The different hues and especially the varied textures made for a charming view. We made our way to the mansion. I thought the shop was nothing but junk but the ladies seemed to enjoy it. Much was sold on consignment so there were some one-of-a-king items for a gift shop. My wife would not purchase the Holiday Barbie for me. She was all dressed in a gown of red and green and was but $100.

We did however have lunch on the porch. It was fine. The roast beef with Brie and horseradish was perfect for me and my wife had an overly dry chicken wrap. Prices were reasonable.

Last Thoughts

That was our day. We spent about two and a half three hours there. We could have spent much more time. We never did the Rhododedron Garden, the Wild Flower Walk, or the Swamp Cypress walk. We plan to return for the fall colours and take in more of the estate then. This place must be special to those who can read and understand all the Latin names attached to so many of the trees on the grounds. For us, we enjoyed the scenery and the weather. All in all we had a delightful day and have more to look forward too.

This was a different kind of State Park. Just one more winner in a system with many. Check out some of the other NYS Parks.


Lake Taconic State Park
Letchworth State Park
Chenango Valley State Park
Watkins Glen State Park
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Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature comforts and games
Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park
Captree State Park Have fun fishing from party boats
Valley Stream State Park
Cedar Point County Park Camping on the east end of LI
Hempstead Lake State Park A lot to offer
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Shadmore State Park It's Crude!
Sunken Meadow State Park