Are you a baby boomer gardener? If so, the next time you travel to Florida, take a detour from the beaches to visit Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Located in the north central part of the state near Gainesville, the gardens are home to the world’s largest lily pads, Florida’s largest public display of bamboo and the Southeast’s largest herb garden.
A visitor’s center divides the 1-1/2 miles of garden paths into two distinct areas. On one side, you’ll walk through a forest where a water feature, using reclaimed water, splashes beside the path. Run your hand along the “touch me” wall in the children’s garden (a great outing for you and the grand-kids) or discover one of the resident alligators hiding among the Victoria water lilies that look like giant, green saucers floating on the water.
Continue stretching your legs on an exploration of the garden’s other side. Here, the open terrain introduces visitors to a palm hammock, bamboo stand and a large herb garden where metal stakes describe the uses for each plant. And, throughout the gardens, picturesque bridges and lagoons provide photographic opportunities for baby boomer shutter bugs.
With 62 acres, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens offers plenty of room to walk or jog, the perfect way for boomers to work off calories before heading to lunch at Blue Highway Pizza in Micanopy. Should you try the Blue Highway Salad, a crispy green mixture topped with feta cheese, tomatoes, red onions, olives and toasted pecans? Or, does the Pizza Fungi where portabella, shitake, oyster and fancy white mushrooms swim in a creamy fontina white wine sauce sound more to your liking? Why not try them both? I did.
Have you visited Kanapaha Botanical Gardens near Gainesville? Post a comment to tell me about it. Walking through a peaceful garden can be an adventure too.
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Curious about the name of the place! Kanapaha sounds Hawaiian – is it?
Curious about the name of the place! Kanapaha sounds Hawaiian – is it?
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 17, 2009 at 6:16 pm
No, Kris, not Hawaiian, although it does sound like it. The name originates from the Timuqua Indians who lived in the area.
This sounds so nice. I’m wondering how much it costs and what the hours of operation are?
This sounds so nice. I’m wondering how much it costs and what the hours of operation are?
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 17, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Cost is reasonable. Adults $6, Children (6-13) $3, Children under 6 are free when accompanied by parent).
Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. 9 til 5
Sat. and Sun. 9 til dusk
Closed on Thursday
Who’d have thought this was in the middle of the state? All I ever found near Gainesville was standstill traffic on I-75 due to wrecks. It’s very hard to tolerate when you’re trying to get to that chair on the beach in Hollywood!
Who’d have thought this was in the middle of the state? All I ever found near Gainesville was standstill traffic on I-75 due to wrecks. It’s very hard to tolerate when you’re trying to get to that chair on the beach in Hollywood!
I have not been there but it sure seems nice! I would like to see it one day!
I have not been there but it sure seems nice! I would like to see it one day!
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 18, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Julie, I found lots of “hidden” jewels on my visit to the Gainesville area.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 18, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Julie, I found lots of “hidden” jewels on my visit to the Gainesville area.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 17, 2009 at 6:16 pm
No, Kris, not Hawaiian, although it does sound like it. The name originates from the Timuqua Indians who lived in the area.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
February 17, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Cost is reasonable. Adults $6, Children (6-13) $3, Children under 6 are free when accompanied by parent).
Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. 9 til 5
Sat. and Sun. 9 til dusk
Closed on Thursday
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