Recreation and education team up at Cary arboretum

By Kathianne Boniello
Poughkeepsie Journal

Exotic plants, riverfront breezes, lakeside camping — the mid-Hudson Valley is where nature practically begs you to come and take a look around.

There’s only one problem with trying to visit the wide variety of parks, gardens, campgrounds and riverfront spots — no one could do it all in a day. Leave plenty of time and plan ahead to tour as much as possible.

One must-see spot is relatively hidden among the open rolling fields of eastern Dutchess County, but the scent of orchids and other colorful flowers will make it easy to find the Institute of Ecosystem Studies’ greenhouse on Route 82 in Millbrook.

Part of the Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum, the greenhouse gives visitors the chance to see more than 1,000 species of plants including unusual ferns, tropical fruit trees and a range of herbs and flowers.

If you’re hot after a long stroll through the greenhouse, a refreshing breeze off the Hudson River is never far away.

Gorgeous gardens

Historic sites boast extensive gardens and river views open to the public and a number of smaller parks give people access to the water.

One of those smaller parks is nestled on the waterfront in the City of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County. Victor C. Waryas Park is the spot locals visit to take time out from the work day.

‘‘It’s a nice view and a good place for observing nature — the birds move around and enjoy it just like we do,’’ said David Wilson as he enjoyed the park on a spring afternoon. There are also a number of historic estates along the Hudson with fantastic views.

The scenery from one such Columbia County estate was so beautiful it inspired art.

Painter Frederic Church used the 126-acres surrounding his family’s 1870s home, Olana, as fodder for an extensive array of landscape paintings. The grounds of the estate, just north of Clermont, offer hiking trails and great Hudson River views.

The rose and herb gardens of Red Hook’s Montgomery Place are charming and the estate’s views of the Hudson River are wonderful.

The large gardens of the Frederick Vanderbilt estate in Hyde Park are also not to be missed. Restored by a group of local volunteers, many attributes of Vanderbilt’s original, Italian-style garden have been revived. Cherry trees, beds of annuals and a rose garden are waiting to be seen.

Farther south, Westchester County’s Kykuit estate was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. The grounds feature a number of exquisite gardens, designed by William Welles Bosworth in the early 1900s.

For those who like to be close to nature, idyllic campgrounds abound, from the beach side camping offered at Dutchess County’s Sylvan Lake to many campgrounds across the river in Ulster County.

One Ulster campground, Hidden Valley Lake Camping Resort, offers a balance between a week in the wild and more modern attractions.

Boating, fishing, bird watching and hiking are easily accessible at Hidden Valley, as are sports such as volleyball and badminton.

Another campground that offers it all is Putnam County’s Clarence Fahnestock State Park, a 10,000-acre facility with fishing, boating, family activities, picnic groves and Canopus Beach, which in the winter serves as a place for sledding, snow shoeing and cross country skiing.

Since the park is just a half mile west of the Taconic State Parkway, chances are the urge to check it out will be irresistible.

There is no charge for most programs. There is a charge for education programs. Suggestions: Wear long pants and sturdy shoes if trail walking is planned. Refrain from collecting any plants, rocks, animals, etc. Visitors may picnic behind Gifford House. For general information: Call (845) 677-5359.