ATTRACTIONS
formed and it entered into a contractual lease arrangement
with the city to bring the gardens to life. The land was purchased
with a combination of money from Florida Forever,
the Nature Conservancy and the Florida Communities Trust
conservation program. No taxpayer money was used to build
and develop the gardens, a fact Cooper is very proud to point
out.
“The council wanted to keep the property in harmony with
the river setting and the city had a conservation trust fund
set up where developers were required to make contributions
to conserve the land and we used that money to develop the
site,” Cooper said. “We saved the property from becoming
another housing project to become a beautiful place that fit
a niche in the city that had not been previously addressed
where people could sit by the pond or woods recreationally. ”
ROOM TO GROW
First and foremost, the gardens are a place to experience
serenity in the center of Port St. Lucie as well as learn about
nature as visitors stroll, rest on a bench and enjoy leisure
time.
There is no entry fee. Instead, visitors are encouraged to
drop money in a donation box or become a member. Money
is raised by plant sales in the propagation section, gift shop
sales, special events, sponsorships and rentals for weddings.
There are plans for an outside pavilion with classrooms. King
estimates the project will cost at least $100,000, which will be
raised by an upcoming capital campaign.
Festivals like Botanica, where vendors sell their products
and plants, and the monthly Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society
jazz jams held by the lake also bring in visitors. In addition, >>
Jack Kelly helps Linda Gustafson in the Propagation Garden which is a
large revenue source from plants cultivated on the property.
The Perriello family found a variety of plants to take home from the sale in the Propagation Garden on Mother’s Day.
42 Port St. Lucie Magazine