A Visit to Westchester’s Art Sanctuary: PepsiCo’s Sculpture Gardens

Did you know that PepsiCo’s world headquarters is in Westchester County, New York? Neither did I, until a few years ago soon after we moved out to Westchester from New York City. I learned of it because I had read about the Donald M. Kendall sculpture gardens, located at the headquarters. I was about to take my family for a visit, when – shoot – it was closed due to renovations. Not just closed for a few months, but a few years! Now, 4 years later, they have finally reopened again to the public. And so this past weekend my family and I finally went.

If you’ve been following my blog then you know I’m a big fan of places where nature meets art, such as Storm King Art Center in the Hudson Valley and Wave Hill in the Bronx. The Donald M. Kendall sculpture gardens are situated on 168 acres of beautiful land in Purchase, New York and are an oasis for anyone who enjoys both art and the outdoors. The idea for the sculpture gardens was conceived by Donald M. Kendall, former chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, in the 1960’s and includes works by famous twentieth century artists including Alexander Calder, Max Ernst, Henry Moore, and Louise Nevelson, among many more.

The gardens themselves are an art form in their own right and serve as the perfect backdrop for the 45+ sculptures. There are vast fields and lawns to walk around, as well as smaller, more enclosed gardens with all types of flowers, trees and foliage. There is a path called the “Golden Path” which weaves throughout the property and sculptures, taking you through trees, a large pond, grass lawns and fountains.

The sculpture gardens are a great place to take the family and let the kids run around, take a break by the pond and watch the fish swim by, cool off from the spray of the fountain, and of course, look at the sculptures. You can spend as much or little time there as you want – if you’re looking for a quick jaunt to split the day up that works, and if you want to make a longer run of it and pack a picnic there are picnic tables. Either way, the sculpture gardens are a nice retreat from the every day, in a beautiful setting, and a place to unwind and take in the serenity and art.

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PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens, 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577.

Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed during inclement weather.

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