While most gardeners have put garden to bed for the winter and are enjoying the crisp, frosty mornings of the Holiday season, the Lord and Schryver Conservancy has been busy with several construction projects.  One is the much anticipated second phase of the Deepwood Lower Terrace Pathway project.

Robert Crown and his crew from Riverdale Landscape Construction have begun removing the old brick retaining wall and steps for renovation. This excavation work has revealed the footings for the old Rose Tunnel. This metal structure was likely the home for 12 climbing roses that were originally planted in 1934 and then again in 1949. One can only imagine what it must have been like to stroll under the Rose canopy when it was in its full glory in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.

The Addendum to the Historic Deepwood Estate Historic Landscape Report suggests this structure is not currently suitable for replacement due to the deep shade cast by the  overhead tree canopy.  However, the location of the original footings has been carefully documented and perhaps someday if the tree canopy were opened up, this element could be restored to the garden.

The old rose tunnel seen from the from the Great Room lawn. Note the sunny exposure that allowed for a Rose Blossoms. Unfortunately the area has become dense shade, making the growing of roses a difficult task were one to try to restore this feature.

The brick wall and pathway before the restoration work of the Lower Terrace and the retaining wall pathway

The old Rose tunnel in bloom it must have smelled amazing to walk under the canopy of climbing roses

The old foundation pillars of the rose tunnel were excavated

The guys from Riverdale Landscape Construction hard at work hand excavating the pathway

For now, the focus is on restoration of the pathway, steps and retaining wall to a more structurally sound version of its former self. We are adding drainage behind the wall as well as channel drains to alleviate the runoff issue down the steep path. The pathway will get base rock and a stabilized, decomposed granite surface that won’t wash out during the heavy rains.

The Lord and Schryver Conservancy is extremely grateful to a generous donor who made this project possible. Without such help, the wonderful Deepwood gardens would be but a shadow of its former glory. It’s exciting to be working toward the restoration of this gem of a City Park.

Mark Akimoff

Garden Manager|Curator