Going Places
Jungle Gardens has animals, birds and lots of plants
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007  |
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| Photo by THOMAS MICHALSKI |
| Jenny Henry, a park employee, holds an alligator during Reptile Encounter presentation. |
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Jungle Gardens in Sarasota is a place where you can walk among flamingoes and other birds, see a reptile house and enjoy lots of plants.
It is all in a beautiful tropical setting that allows for the opportunity to stroll through an ever-changing landscape that once was described by city officials as an “impenetrable swamp.” It also was a banana grove before the land became a huge garden back in the 1930s.
It was the dream of David Breen Lindsay and Pearson Conrad to create a botanical gardens. Together they purchased thousands of tropical plants from all over the world. Many still exist throughout the park, in the Gardens of Christ, in open lagoons, Tiki Gardens and within the dense forested jungle areas.
Among the prized plants is a rare Australian nut tree, the largest Norfolk Island pine tree in Florida, Peruvian Apple cactus and scores of other non-native vegetation.
So many people were wandering through the gardens by 1938 that Lindsay and Conrad began charging admission – a dime for kids and 35 cents for adults – to offset the cost of importing plants, maintenance and expansion. In 1940 Jungle Gardens was officially named and opened. The property has changed hands a few times over the years.
Today’s $12 adult admission charge is a fair price for all the attraction offers. You pay after browsing the gift shop. If you like reptiles then take an immediate right after walking through the gift shop door to the reptiles house and outside caged areas that house alligators, giant tortoises and other cold blooded critters. The house is home to very large rattlesnakes, lizards and even a few tarantulas. The Reptile Encounter show moderated by park personnel is interesting and provides a close view of various creatures.
Not far away is the Critters and Things and Birds of the Rainforest exhibitions. The bird show includes an educational program and performing parrots.
The best part of this attraction is the walk through the park itself. There are two lakes, Mirror and Crystal, and the Flamingo Lagoon where those big and beautiful pink birds walk among people mooching food and doing what flamingos usually do. The birds and that particular area of the park provide some great photo opportunities.
A walk through the rest of the park offers up everything from a butterfly garden, animal exhibits, a turtle pond and even a few wallabies and emus. There are plenty of benches and even a gazebo to sit, rest and gaze out at the beautiful surroundings.
The park is located at 3701 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota, just off U.S. 41. The quickest way to get there is I-75 to Exit 213. Admission is $12 for adults, seniors get a $1 break, and $8 for children ages 3 to 12. The park offers special group rates.
Call 941-355-5305 or visit www.sarasotajunglegardens.com
Thomas Michalski travels around the state to visit various Florida attractions. Send him an e-mail at tmichalski@TBNweekly.com with any suggestions.
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Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007
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