A vast and unique garden in New Canaan that’s open to the public recently finished its final bloom, inviting visitors to a spectacular experience.
Located off of Chichester Road, the New Canaan Beautification League’s Lee Garden is a publicly accessible place for residents to enjoy in the warm weather.
The colorful blooms of the Lee Garden. Credit: Faith Kerchoff
The garden was founded after George Lee moved to New Canaan in the 1940s, longtime NCBL member Faith Kerchoff said.
“Goerge asked if he could leave it to us, and we said ‘yes,’ ” Kerchoff said. “So we’ve had the garden since 1978.”
Several features of the Lee Garden are most enjoyable in the summer, following the widely anticipated azalea bloom within, Kerchoff said.
“We have a little water pond with a waterfall that goes down the hill, so you can always hear water running,” she said. “It’s very green and lush during the summer. And it’s nice to go on that patio and sit in the rocking chairs and just enjoy it, the high canopy of trees.”
Kerchoff referred to the recently converted Carol West Seldin Barn, located within the Lee Garden property.
Amid the unpredictable winter weather, the snow acted as insulation for the azalea blooms which turned out “spectacular,” Kerchoff said.
Because the garden is packed, there isn’t much space to hold large events, she added.
“We have the patio, but we’re limited on parking,” Kerchoff said. “The neighbors are fine about people parking in the neighborhood, but we can’t really do any big, massive things because of where we are.” (There’s a small parking area outside the garden, and there’s on-street parking available on nearby Toquam Road, for example.)
Despite this, the NCBL still holds lunches and meetings there and invites the public to “just enjoy the garden,” she said.
“While the garden is owned by us, we treat it like a park,” Kerchoff said. “It’s open from dawn to dusk every day. We’re working on getting a more welcoming sign that says something like, ‘Open the gate, come in and enjoy the garden.’ ”
Lee Garden is a very special place and one of New Canaan’s gems that should not remain entirely hidden. This week will be a perfect time to take a stroll through its beautiful paths and enjoy all of the flowers.
We think of it as New Canaan’s Secret Garden. Children in the neighborhood look for, and build tiny fairy houses. Read more and see slide shows of bloom at Lee Garden on our website: NewCanaan Beautification.org/leegarden
Thank you for your wonderful article, Valentina.
A real treasure for New Canaan! It should not be a secret.
The NC Beautification League volunteers give bountiful amount of hours and love to maintain this special garden. Bring a picnic, enjoy the patio and listen to the waterfall element while viewing this magnificent garden. Parking is inside the unlocked gate which makes it safe and easy or across the road on the side street.
Tons of on street parking in that lovely neighborhood if you can’t get into the small lot. Particularly beautiful approach from Toquam Rd., as mentioned in the article.
Thank you to the many Beautification League members who care for these special gardens. We are so fortunate to have this place of beauty and serenity so close to home.
Even though I moved back to Switzerland in 2023 after 44 years in New Canaan, I remember my visits to Lee Gardens fondly, a very special place indeed.