Sylvan Gardens

A Green Habitat for Plants, Wildlife and People

86 Old Main Street, Chatham, MA

Rolf E. Sylvan Gardens Conservation Area

Named for the man who cultivated the land in the1960s, the area contains almost ten acres of undeveloped land and six hundred feet of freshwater pond shore, portions of which are home to state-listed native plant species. It is a green refuge for plants, wildlife, and people. Rustic trails traverse a variety of settings, leading visitors through deep woods and open fields to broad pond views.

History

Sylvan Gardens has a rich history. The land was purchased by William Nickerson from Sachem Mattaquason of the Monomoyick Indians in 1656. In the 1700 and 1800’s, the land was used for homestead farming and drying peat for home heating.

Rolf Sylvan’s grandfather-in-law purchased the property in 1925. Rolf established the Lower Cape Nursery here mid-20th century. He planted extensive ornamental and native gardens and experimented with grafting and hybridizing flowers and shrubs. In spring, customers delighted in strolling through the gardens to view, select and order from thousands of blooming bulbs clustered throughout the gardens. Blueberries were available in the summer.

There are many people in Chatham who have treasured memories of visiting Sylvan Gardens as children.

The land remained in the Sylvan family until 2004, when the Town of Chatham purchased 9.5 acres of the property with a conservation restriction, so that it will forever remain conservation land.

What’s in Bloom

Photo by Chris Sloan

The Friends of Sylvan Gardens is a 501(c)3 organization partnering with the Town of Chatham to assist with the improvement and management of the Gardens for public passive recreation and their preservation as a natural resource, by:

• Providing accessibility by maintaining trails

• Controlling invasive and aggressive plants

• Pruning overgrown native and ornamental plants

• Developing a stewardship program

• Encouraging volunteers

• Creating educational programs

• Raising funds to support plantings and projects

Key was the awarding of a Community Preservation Act grant for a compressed stone path from the entrance on Old Main Street to the White Pond and Black Pond Overlook. Further, the FOSG used these funds to provide an additional disabled parking space, benches and signs within the Gardens, and a welcome plaque and map near the entrance to Old Main Street.

Once a well maintained and often visited nursery, Sylvan Gardens was neglected for many years and was invaded by opportunistic invasive plants that have grown over the paths and trees. However, the Friends of Sylvan Gardens has been instrumental in working to restore the property and make it a green and peaceful habitat for people and wildlife alike. Volunteers have planted thousands of additional daffodil bulbs and many native shrubs, labeled plants of special interest and have been responsible for mowing the open spaces, pruning shrubs and trees and removing invasive plants.

All Persons Accessibility

The Town of Chatham approved Community Preservation funds for a compressed stone path from the entrance on Old Main Street to the White Pond and Black Pond Overlook. This path meets the Americans with Disabilities Act, and becomes the only conservation area in Chatham with such a facility which provides enjoyment for all users.

Please Help with a Donation

Keeping Sylvan Gardens as a well-maintained green space is a long-term project and needs your support. Please contribute to the Friends of Sylvan Gardens so we can continue our care of this special place.

We welcome volunteers, but even if you can't provide the physical help yourself, your generous gift to The Friends of Sylvan Gardens will literally "grow and flourish" and be appreciated by visitors in years to come.

We accept donations online or by check sent to:

Friends of Sylvan Gardens
PO Box 524
North Chatham, MA 02650

Donations are eligible for the IRS charity tax deduction. EIN #46-4916056