In the photo above, you can see that many people sled directly into the boxwood plants.

The damage to the walks and brick edging seen here cost money to repair. More important, they divert resources from more important preservation work.

We realize that sledding in the formal gardens of Hampton is a longstanding tradition. We know it's fun. We like being a good neighbor. But…

The amount of damage done by sledding is unacceptable. Repeatedly, we have found extensive damage to the boxwood in the gardens, and even to the brick walkways. This takes money and time to repair. In fact, boxwood grows approximately one inch per year. It may take as much as a decade for boxwood to recover from the most recent sledding damage.

So, we're sorry to be spoilsports, but we must ask that you not sled in the gardens.

These branches, broken by sledding, will
take at least a decade to regrow.