With some rearranging of the original garden and planting of many sustainable pollinator-friendly perennials, Emily and Karen have created a showcase of colors from March to October. Presented to Richard and his wife, Julie, September 14, 2019. “Dedicated to Richard Diedrichsen for his commitment, service and leadership to Lordship Improvement Association. Next to this same path is a pole-mounted plaque dedicated to former LIA President Richard Diedrichsen, in recognition of his invaluable contributions over the years to benefit the Lordship community. This bench has a brass plaque mounted on it with the following inscription: “Gift of Brian and Janice Shannon Family.” This bench has a brass plaque mounted on it with the following inscription: “In Loving Memory of Michael Grosso.”įurther down along this path is a third black metal bench located next to a bicycle rack. This one faces the long stretch of the grassy Lordship Bluffs.

The density of the shrubs and grasses located just below the garden provide a welcome refuge for these creatures.Īt the top of the path leading to the beach is another black metal bench. Occasionally a lone rabbit or deer will show up. When you see a sunflower in the garden, they most likely planted it.Īnd it’s not just birds that visitors get to watch. This area is also frequented by many native birds. Sometimes there’s just one bird left perched on top of the birdhouse, presumably assigned to guard duty, just in case intruders show up. It’s fascinating to watch the birds flying back and forth to parts unknown. It was built by Kevin Regan, the current Associate President of the LIA, in the hopes of attracting martins, which are known to be voracious insect catchers - especially of nasty mosquitos.īut another bird species, known as house sparrows, apparently didn’t get the word of its intended use and took possession of the 18-room “seaside hotel” birdhouse, exercising their avian squatters’ rights. The birdhouse is mounted on a high pole and located about halfway between the bench and the beach. The expansive view from this bench wouldn’t be complete without watching the activity of numerous birds that call a nearby martin birdhouse their home. The lighthouse serves to warn mariners of the treacherous Stratford Shoals. A brass plaque mounted on the bench has the following inscription: “Gift of the Gelder Family.” The bench faces Long Island Sound and on a clear day one can see the Middleground Lighthouse in the far distance. To the west of the garden is a black metal bench. Although that concept was beautiful in nature to the area, Emily and Karen had a vision to expand on the beauty of the vista, and took this garden to a new and different level. Originally, this garden was created by a landscape gardener from Norwalk, CT to utilize shrubs and plantings native to this coast. These events heavily damaged the area, but they yielded one benefit: The view of Long Island Sound from Lordship Road was no longer obstructed. See more at ).Įmily Viner and Karen Kochiss are the current Co-Captains of the garden, which was created by the LIA after the previously wooded area was damaged by three severe weather events - a tornado on June 24, 2010, Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011, and Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012.

Pirate gold seekers abounded here in the mid- to late 1880s. Note: The buried treasure rumor has deep historical roots. What better place than the Lordship Bluffs! The garden’s name is based on the legend that Kidd had buried some of his ill-gotten treasure somewhere on the shores of Long Island Sound. The name Captain Kidd - the notorious pirate who plied the East Coast in search of booty - was assigned to this spot by former Lordship Improvement Association (LIA) President Richard Diedrichsen. This path in turn connects with the straight main path that leads to Russian Beach. The latter garden is surrounded by a gently sloping handicapped accessible path. At the foot of Lordship Road on Park Boulevard and on the western edge of the Lordship Bluffs sits the beautiful oval-shaped Captain Kidd’s Garden, and its smaller counterpart, the heart-shaped Little Kidd’s Garden, which is located just below it ( see LIA Gardens Map).

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