INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — McKee Botanical Garden will offer a $1 admission price in honor of Community Appreciation Day on Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the special admission price, the Garden will be offering $10 off new memberships to the which includes a 10 percent discount at the Garden Gift and Book Shop.
This year McKee Botanical Garden is celebrating its 15th anniversary since re-opening in 2001. During that time, it has increased the varieties of waterlilies in its collection from 50 to 100 different species. In the same time frame, visitation and memberships have tripled. In addition, the number of volunteers and volunteer hours have more than doubled. Last year, the Garden broke its own record with more than 61,500 visitors.
McKee was recently awarded the 2016 Certificate of Excellence award from TripAdvisor as well as the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers/TC Palm “2015 People’s Choice Award” for “Best Local Attraction” and “Best Local Tours.” In addition, McKee was recently recognized as one of the “Top 10 Most Beautiful Gardens That Florida Has To Offer” by TripsToDiscover.com.
“We greatly appreciate the community embracing McKee Botanical Garden and everything we have to offer here and want to thank you for your continued support. We have a lot planned for the future and look forward to the next 15 years and beyond,” said executive director Christine Hobart.
Back by popular demand, the award-winning Nature Connects: Art With LEGO Bricks exhibition by world-renowned, award-winning artist Sean Kenney will be showcased at McKee Botanical Garden beginning Nov. 5, 2016 through May 7, 2017. This year’s exhibition features thirteen sculptures built with over 300,000 LEGO pieces as well as a LEGO Brick Build Station.
In addition, we are delighted to announce the opening of The Patisserie at the Garden Cafe beginning in November. The Patisserie recently received the coveted “Snail of Approval” award for incorporating Slow Food Values into their business. The award recognizes businesses that incorporate locally grown, sustainably produced and raised products which will assure our visitors of receiving the highest quality food.
“Chef and Partner Mark Edmonds and Partner Christian Garcia are committed to providing good local and sustainable food at the Garden Cafe and we are thrilled to have them at McKee,” Hobart said.