INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — McKee Botanical Garden has been recognized by Horticulture magazine as one of 10 inspiring gardens to have opened to the public in the past 10 years.
In its January/February 2012 issue, the magazine spotlights McKee and nine other gardens located throughout the United States for striving to preserve the legacy of North American garden culture. The Vero Beach landmark is noted for its diverse plant collection, historic structures and subtropical jungle setting.
The gardens featured in the article were selected at the suggestion of the Garden Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of America’s most exceptional gardens for the education and enjoyment of the public. McKee is endorsed by the Garden Conservancy as a project of national and historical significance.
“It is an honor to be included among such an esteemed group of public gardens. We welcome this opportunity to ‘open our gates’ to the readers of Horticulture magazine, and we are especially grateful to the Garden Conservancy for their recommendation,” said McKee Botanical Garden Executive Director Christine Hobart.
The history of McKee Botanical Garden dates back to 1932 when it was opened initially as McKee Jungle Gardens under the ownership of Waldo Sexton and Arthur McKee. The Garden remained one of Florida’s largest tourist attractions for over 40 years before ceasing its operations in 1976 due to the development of Interstate 95 and competition created by the central Florida theme parks.
All but 18 of the Garden’s 80 acres were sold and developed into condominiums. In 1995, the remaining acres were purchased by the Indian River Land Trust, and an additional $9.1 million was raised to perform a complete restoration of the Garden.
Now a separate entity from the land trust, McKee Botanical Garden proudly celebrated its tenth anniversary since its historic reopening in November of 2011.
The mission of McKee Botanical Garden is to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all.
McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US 1 in Vero Beach. General admission fees are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. Admission is free for members and children under 3.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. The Garden is closed Mondays.