Page 58 - august2017lifeinnaples

FLORIDA GARDEN

Things fell into place and the sections were rolled out in phases:
• The Brazilian Garden, Caribbean Garden and Children’s Garden
opened in 2009.
• The Water Garden and Asian Garden debuted in 2010.
• The Visitor Center, Kapnick Hall, Fogg Café and Berger Gift
Shop opened in 2014, along with the interspersed Kathryn’s Garden,
Irma’s Garden and the LaGrippe Orchid Garden. (The original visitor
center was a double-wide trailer.)
• A rejuvenated Florida Garden opened in 2016.
WATER GARDEN
Little was spared to ensure authenticity. In the Asian Garden,
the Thai Pavillion was built from over 10,000 tongue-and-groove
pieces shipped from Bali and reassembled. Native statuary came from
countries throughout Southeast Asia.
And the Naples community continued to help. The late Elsie Page
collected fruit trees and gave many of them to the Garden. The Club
Pelican Bay donated its iconic triple-date palm. Plants from St. George
& the Dragon were moved to the Garden after the restaurant closed.
(A “No Parking” sign was included in the gift.) A fig tree from FedEx
now resides in the Asian Garden.
Washburn says, “This is not your typical botanical garden. People
are invested in it.” Alsbrook adds, “It’s a hands-on love affair. So many
people have helped.”
It’s certainly on everyone’s “to see” list, particularly when
grandchildren come to town. Over 220,000 visit the Garden each year
CHILDREN'S GARDEN
– most to soak up the plantscape, but some to sample the concerts, plays
and special exhibits that take place there.
It’s been a remarkable journey. Few would have guessed the
uninhabitable wasteland of 2000 would have turned into the world-
class showplace we enjoy today.

58 Life in Naples | August • September • October 2017