a Garden among Lego
In Winter Garden Florida there sits a relatively quite little park. This park Has been around since the 1930s and has been purchased and repurchased a few times. It’s name has even changed. I am talking about Cypress Gardens.
The park opened in 1936 and was for many years the water ski capitol of the world. The gardens were planted by Dick Pope Jr. and his Wife Julia. and over the years the park grew and was greatly appreciated by the locals. When Dick and Julia retired they transferred the property to their son who sold it off due to competition from the up and coming Walt Disney World resort.
It changed hands a few more times and was reopened in 2004 only to have that company go bankrupt in 2006.
This however was not the end. in 2010 the Merlin group owner of the Lego land Franchise purchased and reopened the park.
You may be wondering why the history lesson. Well as many of you know I love Lego. A few years ago Carolyn and I decided to go check out Lego land here in Florida for the first time. As we walked through the quaint park we were pleasantly surprised to come across this sign for Cypress Gardens. Neither of us had heard about this place and we decided to explore it. What we found was a calm serene landscape of amazing trees and plants including a 75 year old Banyan tree. We spent a few hours wandering lush landscape and taking in the quiet beauty. We liked it so much we upgraded to annual passes just for the Garden.
I am sad to say we only made it back once more that year for the gardens, however we enjoyed walking the quite Garden together just as much as the first time we were there.
Many people come to the Orlando Area for Disney, or Universal or one of the many many other well known attractions. Lego land its self is a lot of fun, I will say more on this tomorrow, however the beautiful little gem inside the park is worth it for anyone who loves plants or just wants to see what a classic Florida attraction looks like.
Today I have two photos from the Gardens, Please enjoy.