Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Old-World Charm—Right Here in Sarasota


In 1930, ten acres of a swampy Sarasota banana grove were purchased by a man named David Lindsay, who hoped to create a botanical garden. With help from a friend who owned a plant nursery, he began transforming the land. Together they planted thousands of tropical plants and dug out waterways, creating an incredible landscape. People started showing up to walk through the gardens, and David began charging 10 cents admission.

In 1940, Sarasota Jungle Gardens was officially opened to the public and has been a popular attraction ever since. Now a home to exotic animals, the park features a tropical bird show, reptile show, the chance to mingle among bright pink flamingos, and so much more. If you’ve never been, you’ve got to make the time. Jungle Gardens is particularly popular for the ages on either end of the human spectrum—young children who haven’t been tainted by visits to bigger and flashier parks and older folks who take the time to smell the flowers. Its old-Florida charm is a rare and treasured experience. You can’t even put Jungle Gardens and other amusement parks in the same sentence—this place has absolutely nothing in common with the polished and crowded likes of Busch Gardens or Disney.

The old-world delight of Sarasota Jungle Gardens is just one of the reasons our area is such a delight. If you live in Sarasota, Osprey, Venice, Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, or Longboat Key, treat yourself to some of the unique natural beauty of our town. You can never get enough of walking the pristine beaches, but if you add in visits to places like Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, and the Ringling Museum and grounds, you’ll fall in love with Sarasota and her islands all over again.

Visitors, are you ready to relocate? Call Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron with The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group. This rare team is ready to help you find the perfect place to call home on Florida’s west coast and Sarasota’s barrier islands including Siesta Key, Casey Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, and anywhere in between!

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