PORT ST LUCIE BOTANICAL GARDENS open with a big splash. Some 800 plus visitors attended the festivities that began with an 11:00 ceremony at the front entrance to the Nature Center. The on site crowd was presented with the colors by the Treasure Coast High Schools US Air Force ROTC which ran the National and State flags up the pole for the very first time. The rest of the ceremony was presented by guest speakers which gave a background on the project, acknowledged the Friends, contractors and then Mayor Christensen presenting the keys to Councilman Chris Cooper who serves as the President of the Friends of the Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens.
Visitors had an opportunity to see the property for the very first time and see the potential for weddings, private party's and special events. Food and entertainment, along with a plant sale, were provided by the Friends and several sponsors. The new gift shop, the Botannica, was open and stocked for visitors to make purchases. They also had an opportunity to stroll the gardens and sit and listen to a live country band, Thunder Road, that played on the Marsh Amphitheater. The stage is a circular platform in the lake. Directly behind the band was the lakes large water fountain. A second fountain, donated by a local business, will be installed in the near future. "Water quality is very important to this project to promote a healthy lake and it is one of the many focal points of the Botanical Gardens property" said Cooper.
The Friends operate the Nature Center and maintain the property under a lease agreement with the city. Councilman Chris Cooper said, "the Gardens are an asset to the city of Port St Lucie, an enhancement that businesses and residents look for when relocating to a new community."
Hours of operation for the Gardens are 9 to 5 daily and closed on Mondays for maintenance. For more information on rentals and visiting the Gardens please contact the Friends at 772-337-1959.
Visitors had an opportunity to see the property for the very first time and see the potential for weddings, private party's and special events. Food and entertainment, along with a plant sale, were provided by the Friends and several sponsors. The new gift shop, the Botannica, was open and stocked for visitors to make purchases. They also had an opportunity to stroll the gardens and sit and listen to a live country band, Thunder Road, that played on the Marsh Amphitheater. The stage is a circular platform in the lake. Directly behind the band was the lakes large water fountain. A second fountain, donated by a local business, will be installed in the near future. "Water quality is very important to this project to promote a healthy lake and it is one of the many focal points of the Botanical Gardens property" said Cooper.
The Friends operate the Nature Center and maintain the property under a lease agreement with the city. Councilman Chris Cooper said, "the Gardens are an asset to the city of Port St Lucie, an enhancement that businesses and residents look for when relocating to a new community."
Hours of operation for the Gardens are 9 to 5 daily and closed on Mondays for maintenance. For more information on rentals and visiting the Gardens please contact the Friends at 772-337-1959.
Setting up the Nature Center for the group Treasure Coast Guitar Duo, 2010
