History
Mission Statement: Friends' mission is to create and maintain a beautiful, serene sanctuary in the center of Port St. Lucie that is environmentally sound and naturally diverse and to provide educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for all who visit. Friends: Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity corporation committed to the growth and development of The Gardens as an educational and recreational destination in Port St. Lucie for all residents in the community and area. Incorporated January 16, 2008, Friends received its 501(c)(3) certification May 15, 2008. Friends presents numerous and diverse events throughout each year including guest speakers, plant sales series, children's activities, music, art exhibits, and other activities in an effort to promote public understanding and education in quality ecological stewardship.
Specialties
The Gardens: The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens held its public grand opening on March 6, 2010. The Gardens sit on +/- 20 acres of property on the west side of Westmoreland Boulevard, just south of Port St. Lucie Blvd., conveniently located within the city. The property was acquired through the joint efforts of the City of Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, & the Florida Communities Trust Land Conservation Program. The site boasts a lake with a fountain, convenient paved paths, beautiful gardens, a pavilion, a gift shop and an array of spaces both inside and out for weddings, meetings, receptions and a host of other events. There is an abundance of convenient on-site parking. The Gardens' wetlands and mangroves sit on the banks of the beautiful, pristine North Fork of the St. Lucie River. This site is comprised of Scrub, Scrubby Flatwoods, Bay-Gall and Wet Flatwoods, with a mangrove fringe. The 12.87 acres south of The Gardens' access road will be maintained as undisturbed Florida wetlands, subject only to the removal of exotics and maintenance of an eventual walking trail. Who we are: The Gardens is managed and operated by Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, Inc. (