Kinney’s is a jewel of a garden, hidden away in Kingston RI, just around the corner from URI. The culmination of the vision of Lorenzo Kinney, begun in the 1920’s and expanded until his passing at age 100 in 1994, the Gardens have since been lovingly managed and nurtured by Mr. Kinney’s protege, Dr. Susan Gordon.
Kinney Azalea Gardens
Moongate
On rare occasions a project comes around where the site, the design, and the execution all work together in harmony so that the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the case with the Moon Gate at Kinney Azalea Gardens. Mr. Kinney’s heirs and residents at the Gardens, Tony and Betty (Kinney) Faella, wanted a moon gate for Tony’s 75th birthday. The location was spectacular, a narrow view corridor from the house, through a path lined with azaleas, terminating at a fieldstone wall. The exact siting of the moon gate and the size of the opening (8′ diameter), were all part of Tony’s vision. All we had to do was put it together.
The Crew, circa 1997; Dan, John, Sal
The narrow, almost tunnel-like path from the house to the moon gate makes for a dramatic vista, drawing the visitor into the trail. Photograph was taken in mid-May, close to peak bloom time.
Ivy clinging to the archway adds color and interest.
A snowfall can completely transform the look of a garden. One of the many benefits of stone in the garden is that it provides a structural element that is only enhanced by the changing seasons.
Teahouse
Sometime around his 100th birthday, Tony expressed an interest in having a tea house at the Gardens. After more than 25 years, I was delighted to have the opportunity to take on another project at Kinney’s. Although it may be better described as a gazebo, I prefer ‘tea house’ in commemoration of the Azalea Teas that Mr. Kinney, and then Tony and Betty Faella, hosted for decades on the Saturday of URI graduation weekend. If the weather cooperated, the azaleas would be in peak bloom at that time, making for a magical setting.
Beach stone pillars starting to take shape
Completed pillars and floor, waiting for the roof.
Floor paving detail, a combination of random and rectangular bluestone
Completed tea house in May
