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Gardens In Bloom No trip to Tallahassee would be complete without a visit to Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. // B Y K A R I N F A B R YCUSHENBERY
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lthough most flowers lie dormant in our coldest months of the year, the camellia is not like normal flowers. These intricate, delicate buds begin to show themselves in January and continue to bloom through early spring. And Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee is where to see them in all their glory. A wealthy banker, Alfred Maclay was originally from New York. A 1923 trip to Tallahassee with his wife, Louise Fleischmann, impressed Alfred enough that he selected our state’s capitol as the location to pursue his lifelong dream—to create an amazing garden. So the couple purchased a winter home and did just that, building one of the most beautiful ornamental gardens in the state. As a matter of fact, the United States Postal Service created a stamp series to recognize 10 of America’s best gardens and Maclay Gardens was included in that series. “The gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, secret garden, reflection pool, walled garden and hundreds of camellias and azaleas,” says Alex Cronin with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s press office. “In 1953, nine years after Mr. Maclay’s death, Mrs. Maclay and her children donated the gardens to the state of Florida. She expressed her wishes that the gardens always be maintained as a memorial to her husband and his creation and opened to the public for the enjoyment of the people of Florida and guests.” Peak blooming season is January 1 through April 30, and the floral peak usually comes in 18
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mid- to late-March. Visitors during these months can expect to pay a small entrance fee to view the gardens and the historic Maclay house, but the nominal fee is worth it. The park features hundreds of camellias and azaleas, plus an abundance of other greenery and blooms. The on-site Lake Hall provides opportunities for kayaking, fishing, canoeing and swimming. Boats without motors are welcome to explore the waterway, and lakeside grills and pavilions offer a place to relax and enjoy a family picnic. The park offers two short nature trails (we’re talking less than an hour for a novice walker to complete) for walking, and bicyclists, hikers and equestrians have six miles of shared trails and five miles of designated biking trails. Park manager Stephanie McDonald in
her manager’s message says, “Currently my favorite spot in the park is our newly updated visitor center. Come and check it out. We have mystery boxes, a large terrarium with Creature Features that change weekly and a movie room where you can learn more about the Maclay family, the house and the gardens.” For the wildlife lovers, Maclay Gardens is home to a great selection of animals and birds, including bobcats, white tail deer, alligators and more. Bald eagle nesting season runs from the beginning of October each year through May, so bring a set of binoculars. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park // 3540 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee // (850) 4874556 // floridastateparks.org/maclaygardens Arbor Day 2021 // January 16, 9am-12pm // Check the park’s website for updated information about this event.