Our Library’s Great Outdoors
We invite everyone to enjoy the beautiful enhancements that the last two years have brought to our campus: read on our comfortable outdoor benches, walk along our meandering path, leap from stump to stump, chase butterflies in the meadow, or toss a frisbee on the lawn.
The Library belongs to you, the public.
The Desmond-Fish Public Library is located in one of the most beautiful and inspiring sites in the Hudson Highlands, at the historic four corners in Garrison. The property on which the Library rests was both purchased and donated in 1978 and 1979; by 1980 it was transformed from hayfield to campus. When the Library opened its doors, the Library Board and dedicated volunteers planted trees but otherwise the outdoor property was left mostly alone. Branches were trimmed, the lawn was mowed, a small wetland emerged, but little was done to change the landscape.
In 2020, our Site Plan, supported by a New York State grant, was adopted after a two year community-focused design process to integrate our goal of using solar energy with expanding the public’s access to the beautiful natural habitats on our property. As such, we will be adding solar panels to our proposed outdoor pavilion.
It’s not just the grasses in the meadow or the flowers in our gardens that are growing. There’s a lot in store for patrons of all ages wishing to enjoy our grounds, coming very soon!
Nature Play Area
To accomplish the Library’s goal of providing a welcoming outdoor space on our beautiful campus where children can play freely and safely in nature, a devoted committee composed of Library trustees, staff, and local experts has developed a plan for a natural area of play elements located near the Children’s Room. Although still in the planning stages, this plan envisions stump circles, a building center, shade arbor, benches for parents and caregivers, a natural cedar fence, and more!
To learn more about the project and for donation opportunities both large and small to assist in the Nature Play Area’s construction, click below for our full brochure.
For more information, please contact: natureplay@desmondfishlibrary.org
Solar Pavilion
The Desmond-Fish Public Library has plans underway to enhance our outdoor offerings by building a timber-framed solar pavilion, with an enclosed storage area. The pavilion will offer a sheltered place to meet friends, gather, perform, enjoy a performance, or simply read. The storage area will facilitate our amazing annual used book sale as well as provide a home for outdoor seating. Solar panels will power a backup battery for our main building. Learn more here.
Thanks to the generosity of our Library trustee, Frank E. Lucente, MD, we were able to install a beautiful Reading Garden during the long days of the pandemic that now provides a wonderful place for reading and reflection. The Reading Garden and its maintenance are completely funded through a private donation.
Stroll around the new Walking Path at the Desmond-Fish Public Library today and you will be surrounded by long waving grasses, swirling butterflies, and myriad sounds of nature. Meadows like this offer food, shelter and propagation sites for pollinating insects and ground-nesting birds.
With New York State grants and further private gifts, we completed our Walking Path in the fall of 2021. The path is ADA-compliant and proceeds through the midst of the Library grounds. Six benches along the Path offer space for reading and contemplation, and all have beautiful views of the surrounding hills.
Planned and installed by the Cornell Cooperative Extension and a large group of dedicated volunteers, our Pollinator Garden was planted in the spring of 2022. The Pollinator Garden project is funded by the Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District. Other native garden plantings around the Path have been generously funded through private donations to provide access and enjoyment for all.
Our Staff and Board remain committed to exploring alternative sources of energy to combat climate change. We currently purchase all our electricity from a community solar farm and we seek ways to reduce our fossil fuel consumption.
Want to know what’s been planted in the garden? Have a look!
In loving memory of a former Library Trustee and beloved Garrison teacher, Sandra Nice, a stone bench and copper beech tree can be found just off the path.
In loving memory of a dedicated member of the Friends of the Library and wonderful volunteer, the Carolyn Ross Garden has been planted outside the main window in the Children’s Room.
Local Parks
Here at the Library
There’s lots of discover inside AND outside of the library –– our entire grounds are open to the public for play and exploration. Can you find butterflies in the reading garden? Evidence of bats in our bathouses? What kind of animal tracks can you find –– fox, rabbit, raccoon, even coyote? Make sure to tell a librarian what you discover!
