Sunken Gardens Welcomes Flamingo Flock

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — George and Lucy have been the only flamingos on the block at Sunken Gardens for years, but all that changed Wednesday when the city of St. Petersburg welcomed 20 feathered friends into the park’s fold.

George and Lucy are all that remained of the historic botanical attraction’s flock of 17. Over the past few years, area residents have been helping the park with fundraising efforts to make sure the two had a little company. The 20 new birds arrived at the gardens on Wednesday and will be officially welcomed to the city on Thursday by Mayor Rick Kriseman.

"It has been quite the journey to get our new flamingos, and we couldn't have done it without the commitment and enthusiasm of the community," said Gardens Supervisor Bill O'Grady in a media release. O’Grady traveled to meet their birds before their journey to St. Petersburg and intends to keep a watchful eye over them as they adjust to their new home.

Getting the birds was a major undertaking that called for more than fundraising, the city noted. In 2015, it had to create a new nighttime enclosure to house the proposed flock. It wasn’t until earlier this year the city received a commitment from the breeder to allow it to buy the birds.

“The city underwent a rigorous adoption process, which included several required letters of recommendation and documentation of adequate living conditions,” the city’s email said.

A community party is planned to welcome the birds to St. Petersburg, too. The Flamingo Festival is set to take place at the gardens on May 1 from noon until 4 p.m.

Sunken Gardens is one of Florida’s original “roadside attractions.” The botanical gardens technically got their start in 1903 when George Turner Sr. bought 6 acres of land. “Using an elaborate maze of clay tiles, he drained an ancient lake on the property, leaving a rich muck soil that was ideal for his favorite hobby – gardening,” the city explained on its website. “Neighbors so enjoyed strolling through Mr. Turner's garden, that by the early 1920's, he was charging a nickel for tours.”

The gardens were cared for by three generations of Turners before they were sold to the city in 1999. Money for the purchase came from a voter-approved tax.

Sunken Gardens is located at 1825 4th St. N. The gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon until 4:30 p.m. on Sundays. The cost to visit is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors age 62 and up and $4 for children ages 2 to 11. For more information, visit the city online.

Photo courtesy of the Sunken Gardens Facebook page

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