Since our last report, we have completed the landscape portion of the project. We have meandering paths around the island that is complemented by a Long Island Native landscape.

Woody plants include Common Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatic “Gro-Lo), Summer sweet (Clethra alnifolia), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), and High Bush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Perennials dot the landscape with color and encourage the visitation of bees and butterflies. Some of the wonderful plants include Butterfly Weed, (Asclepias tuberosa), Flag Iris (Iris versicolor), and Cone Flower (Echinacea pupurea). In all we planted over 5000 plants and plugs into the landscape. When we completed the structure, we had to design a hardscape that complemented the natural lookof the building. Working with rock garden specialists Luke Kreye and his team we came up with massive stone steps that lead up to the building from both sides. To balance the steps, we anchored them with boulder so they fit seamlessly in the landscape.