World Class Tropical Paradise To Open in Naples

Executive Director Brian Holley has announced that Naples Botanical Garden will open to the public at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2009.

“This is the world’s first significant tropical botanical garden to open in decades and the only garden in the U.S. with a superstar design team,” Holley commented. “They have created a world-class tropical paradise that is not only a sensory delight but also a place for recreation, reflection and education for today and generations to come.” The cost for this phase of the Garden’s development is $36 million. The grand opening is sponsored by Scott’s MiracleGro.

Opening on November 14th are:

Vicky C. and David Byron Smith Children’s Garden including the Pfeffer-Beach Butterfly House

This interactive garden, designed by landscape architect Herb Schaal, includes waterfalls, tree houses, seven child-size re-creations of native habitats, weird and wonderful plants, a hidden garden filled with fanciful plantings in found objects, and a Butterfly House. The design incorporates input from dozens of local children whose ideas resulted in a whimsical garden full of inventiveness and joy.

Brazilian Garden

Bold and true to its roots, this garden pays homage to the incredible diversity of Brazilian flora, and to one if its legendary sons, landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. Its centerpiece is a Burle Marx ceramic mural — a massive work that is the only one of its kind in the United States. A gift to Naples Botanical Garden from the Brazilian Garden designer, Raymond Jungles, the mural made its U.S. debut at Brazilian Modern, a Jungles-designed presentation for the New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show in February.

Kapnick Caribbean Garden

Designer Robert Truskowski has created a reflection of his extensive knowledge of the landscapes and gardens of the Caribbean. His vision brings to life a garden that communicates the history of this region from its diverse pre-Columbian flora, to its role as a botanical repository during the age of explorers, to the current importance of its agriculture industry.

Mary and Stephen Byron Smith River of Grass

The River of Grass reflects the most dominant feature of the South Florida landscape — the Everglades. The design team was captivated by this landscape and included it as a feature of the Garden. Naples’ landscape architect Ellin Goetz put pen to paper and created this jewel that inspires with its wide swath of native grasses.

The Preserve, including the Collier Enterprises South Wetlands, James and Linda White Birding Tower, and Smith Uplands

The Preserve boasts giant pines and ancient cypress, unspoiled marshes and twisted mangroves that serve as a vital corridor of habitat for otters, bobcats, hawks, eagles and other wildlife as well as hundreds of species of native plants. Set on a migratory path, visitors can see northern harrier hawks, migrating ducks, white pelicans and wading birds. The Upland Preserve, complete with multiple nature trails, is also home to over fifty-five endangered gopher tortoises.

The Harvey Kapnick Education and Research Center is a partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University slated to open in February 2010.

The original concept for Naples Botanical Garden was developed 15 years ago by a small group gathered at the Naples Library. Six years later, with the support of Harvey Kapnick, the Kapnick Foundation and Collier Enterprises, the current 170-acre property was purchased, and dreams took the important first step toward reality. Construction of this first phase required an intense, 17-month construction program. Ellin Goetz, principal of Naples-based Goetz + Stropes Landscape Architects, Inc. is the overall Coordinating Landscape Architect. It is anticipated that the remaining gardens, the Marcia and L. Bates Lea Asian Garden and Karen and Robert Scott Florida Garden, will open in 2010.

PRnewsphoto/Vanessa Rogers