Ashford Hollow Foundation - Griffis Sculpture Park & The Essex Arts Center

Beck Arcese

What a fabulous, hidden gem!! I took my grandsons, ages 7 and 4, wondering if they would be able to appreciate it, but it's an opportunity to spend time with them, safely, outdoors. I had a little trouble figuring out how to pay with Venmo, but eventually was successful. You pay either with that or PayPay. There is no money changing hands. The area is monitored with cameras, so don't go away without giving your "donation". Whatever, it cost me $3 because I am a senior and the two little guys are under 10, so they were free. Before you even enter the park there are stately metal ironworks greeting you on the road. When you park, you enter a trail, and the fun begins. I have climbers, so if you're afraid of viruses (virii?) bring hand sanitizer. You'll need it anyway if you use the Port-A-Potties. Yuck. Not my favorite part. Along the gorgeous and leafy trail are multiple statues of different materials, and one caught the 4-year-old's eye. In it's paint work are several smaller items which he located, so that was great for him. Every opportunity for a climb was taken. You need to exercise due caution; not every statue is safely anchored to the ground. Make sure you test it before your kids try it. Then there were beautifully mown fields with, yes, nude statues (made for my "casual" practice), some breathtakingly placed around a little pond. The were "The Bathers". Then more examples of space vehicles, underwater vehicles, and, if you can make it that far, a maze. We didn't make it that far because someone was tired and hungry. Then you can lunch on a picnic table, or, as we did, in the trunk of my sedan. It was worth the 50-minute drive, let me tell you. Do it.

Linda Rizzuto

Nice sculptures

SugaredYeti (xDonnieDark0x)

One of the best sculpture parks I’ve been to this place is great to check out by yourself or with family and friends it has tons of big and small sculptures that will keep your family busy for hours!