The Karlan/Geisman Meditation Garden

Gerald S. Schriener of Far East Designs, a landscape architect specializing in landscapes, waterfalls and Japanese Gardens, is heading the renovation efforts.

The C.W. Post Campus is now the site of a serene meditation garden thanks to the generosity of a local neighbor. The small stream, bridge and garden area behind the Admissions building are being restored with a gift from Blanche Karlan, a resident of Upper Brookville. The stream originates at the base of the octagonal tower of the Admissions building, but over the years, overgrown foliage has cut off the flowing water. The stream and surrounding area have been cleared, and the pond at the end of the stream has been cleaned and repaired.

The garden was originally created by famed landscape architect Marian Cruger Coffin in 1922. It was designed and constructed for the cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her then-husband financier E.F. Hutton.

An outdoor ceramic tile labyrinth has been constructed nearby, and a wooden footbridge connects the areas. The meditation garden includes a path and benches as well. The area will be known as the Karlan/Geisman Meditation Garden, in memory of Mrs. Karlan's husband Lazarus, daughter Penny, and son-in-law Richard.