For 73 years the Castle and the other structures on the island were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow, and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977 it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the Castle operation, it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Since then several million dollars have been applied to rehabilitating and restoring the Heart Island structures.
The island is now fully accessible to the handicapped, has complete restroom facilities, picnic areas, as well as a food and beverage concession to make your visit more comfortable. An underground passage led from the servants' dock on the water's edge. Goods transported from barges at the dock through this tunnel to storage rooms within the Castle's foundation. The tunnel also housed water pipes and electrical wiring from the Power House.
A rocky crest of the island was extended
into a level plateau by making a promenade
terrace on top of the stone-walled service
tunnel. In contrast to the more natural landscape
elsewhere on the island, this Italian Garden
was to be geometrically formal, so high retaining
walls were raised on the opposite side as
well, making the plan symmetrical. At the
opposite extremity of the garden from the
Castle's Ball Room, a fountained pool was
surrounded by a curved, lower terrace, overlooking
the picturesque roofscape of the Power House.
Marble statuary intended for the Italian
Garden, was delivered from Italy. Some of
these statues were found half a century later
still in crates, sunk within an old boathouse.
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