delayed the project for a year, to
smaller issues. “No one was thrilled
about emergency exit lighting, but it
is a necessity so concessions were
made,” Rich says. Five years of design
and development with architects and
engineers were followed by four years
of construction. “Now,” Rich says, “we
are working on a strategic plan to
focus on what the next six years will
look like.” One idea is to renovate one
of the two cottages on the site to use
as a residence for college interns
studying horticulture or landscape
architecture. “It is really fun to see
the place have a new life,” Peter says.
“When the furniture was coming out,
and the computers were going in,
some visitors said, ‘You must be so
sad.’ I said, ‘No, just the reverse,
there is a whole new future here
now.’” It is a future that the
Blanchard’s and the Murphy’s are keen
to share: “Greenwood is a magical
place and so many residents haven’t
visited or even know we exist,”
Stephanie says. “We hope people
will come enjoy this hidden gem!” ■
Greenwood Gardens,
274 Old Short Hills Road,
Short Hills, 973-258-4026,
greenwoodgardens.org,
[email protected]