Community Day Events at Innisfree Garden

Enjoy a full day of activities, tours and workshops from dawn until dusk during Community Day at Innisfree Garden, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is widely recognized as one of the finest gardens in the world for its unrivaled beauty and serenity.

Some events require pre-registration; click here for details.

Morning Light, Sunrise at Innisfree, 6 a.m.: The tranquility of Innisfree Garden at dawn will inspire you! The 185-acre public garden opens about an hour before sunrise for anyone who wishes to experience its serenity as it welcomes the first light of day. Witness the beautiful plants, flowers, rock formations and other natural and designed features of the garden as they are slowly caressed by the rising sun. It's a wonderful opportunity for photographers and artists looking to capture the garden's unique splendor in their works.

Wish Tree for Innisfree, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.: Grab a tag at the visitor kiosk, write your wish on it and tie it to one of the limbs of the Wish Tree, a sturdy old white oak on the South Lawn. The Wish Tree is an ongoing interactive work of art that invites people from all over the world to write their wishes for peace and tie them to a tree. It was launched by Yoko Ono 25 years ago.

Landscape Frames, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.: Come and view the beautiful landscape of Innisfree as art by seeing it through a series of frames installed in the picnic area. Craftsman Aidan McGiff created the three frames of local red oak.

All-Ages Art Workshop, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Create a fall forest on paper. Local artists John and Elizabeth McGriff (with the help of local students) help visitors of all ages stamp a fall forest in paint on paper using Indian woodblocks carved with patterns of leaves and flowers. Also, visitors can help create forest murals to decorate the cider-tasting event later in the day.

Docent Tour, 10:30 a.m.: Join one of Innisfree's knowledgeable volunteers for a 30-minute introductory tour.

Forest Bathing, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Certified forest therapy guide Nancy Kopans will lead this gentle, healing walk. Forest bathing is the mindful experiencing of nature and has been shown to reduce stress and boost the immune system, cardiovascular strength and cognitive functioning. Click here to register.

Qigong for Gardeners, 2-3 p.m. : Enjoy an hour of easy and effective “joint oiling” Qigong exercises during this all-ages, beginner-friendly session led by local exercise therapist Cris Caivano. Qigong is known to bring circulation and flexibility back to the spine, shoulders, hips, knees and hands. Click here to register.

Autumn Tasting: American Cider at Innisfree with Dan Pucci and Craig Cavallo, 4:30-6 p.m.: Taste the refreshing flavors of the Hudson Valley's finest ciders at the Autumn Tasting event on the shores of Tyrrel Lake. Feel free to pack your own picnic, or perhaps you'd like to pre-order local, seasonal food prepared with cider in mind by Babette's Kitchen in Millbrook. Pucci and Cavallo are the co-authors of the book "American Cider." To register for the cider tasting, click here.