Innovative Government-Community Partnership Preserves Historic Gardens for Future Generations

Site Becomes the 19th Park in the Historic Essex County Park System

Montclair, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Governor Jon Corzine commemorated Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22 by announcing the creation of an innovative government-community partnership to preserve the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair and protect it from future development.  The unique arrangement was made possible by the State, County, Township of Montclair and the volunteer Presby Memorial Iris Gardens Citizens Committee working together to designate the site as the 19th park in the Essex County Park System.

“The Presby Iris Gardens are an international attraction and magnificent natural treasure that was just too precious to lose. Like the Cherry Blossoms in Essex County Branch Brook Park and the Rose Garden in Essex County Brookdale Park, the Presby Iris Gardens captures our imaginations and reminds us of how beautiful and special nature can be,” DiVincenzo said. “In 1895, our government leaders had the foresight to create the first county park and preserve open space for the community’s use. We understand the importance of the Presby Gardens and with the help of Governor Corzine and the NJ Green Acres program took the same bold steps to preserve and protect this wonderful attraction for future generations. This was only possible every level of government and the dedicated volunteers shared the same goal,” he added.

“It’s gratifying to be here on Earth Day to celebrate the preservation of Presby Gardens, one of New Jersey’s most magnificent natural wonders,” said Governor Jon S. Corzine. “Equally satisfying is that this was truly a partnership among governmental entities and community advocates that made the preservation of this important part of our culture and heritage possible.”
 “The County really came in and saved us from a difficult situation. The Iris Gardens had been dependent on Montclair for funding, but the difficult economic times made it impossible for us to continue providing support. County Executive DiVincenzo and the Freeholders stepped in and saved this valuable resource,” Montclair Mayor Jerry Freid said. “We really appreciate all the work the County has done for Montclair. Essex County is a densely populated area and it is important for us to preserve green space,” he added.

Rising costs and depleted endowment caused by the difficult economic times forced the Presby Gardens to be put up for sale in 2008. Recognizing the historic, educational and environmental importance, DiVincenzo initiated negotiations to have the County purchase the site and make it the 19th park in the Essex County Parks System.

Essex County received a $900,000 grant from the New Jersey Green Acres program and a $200,000 grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund to purchase the Presby Iris Gardens and the Walther House from the Citizens Committee. The Township of Montclair recently approved an ordinance selling three (3) acres of Mountainside Park where the gardens are located to Essex County for $1. Essex County will maintain the park property and historic house and will enter into a lease agreement with the Citizens Committee to maintain the Iris Gardens, pay utilities costs and provide programming at the site. The Citizens Committee will utilize the proceeds of the sale to pay debt and establish an endowment to ensure the vitality of the garden in the future.

“The Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund is pleased to give our support in helping to save the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. The gardens are a valuable resource and asset to Essex County and Montclair and are too valuable to lose,” Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board Chairwoman Lori Tanner said.

The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens were first planted in 1927 in Montclair’s Mountainside Park when it just opened. The gardens are named for Frank Presby, who was known for his support of the Montclair Art Museum and the American Iris Society. They were tended for five decades by volunteer curator Barbara Walther and are now maintained by a volunteer society, the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens Citizens Committee. The gardens boast over 8,000 individual irises in 3,200 varieties. The peak of the blooming season occurs around Memorial Day in May and admirers from around the world come to visit. The gardens last grabbed headlines in 2005 when they were nearly destroyed by vandals. The Gardens are listed in The State and National Registers of Historic Places.