The New Everglades Wonder Gardens

 

 

 

The Everglades Wonder Gardens was established in 1936 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Two brothers, Bill and Les Piper, originally set up as a wildlife rehabilitation center, and it quickly developed into a popular original old Florida roadside attraction. Over the years, the gardens were home to panthers, bears, otters, alligators and “Big Joe” who at over 14ft long was, for a while, the largest American crocodile in existence. The attraction remained in the Piper family for many years until mid-2013 when the park closed briefly for the first time ever, leaving the fate of the Everglades Wonder Gardens in question. Instead of closing, however, local photographer John Brady took over management of the gardens and is determined not to let it become another extinct attraction.

 

I have been a resident of Bonita Springs for over 20 years, and have raised three children here. The gardens were at least a monthly trip. The old growth tropical banyan trees shaded us as we viewed Florida mammals and birds in a quiet setting. I was sad to see the gardens close and a little apprehensive to see someone else take over this longtime family attraction, but recently I visited the historic landmark to see the changes myself.

 

 

The first change I noticed as I stepped through the door was a major rebuilding of the lobby. Gone was the outdated shop selling plush animals and cheap baubles. In its place is a beautiful gallery featuring Brady’s Florida Everglades art photography. There are large, well lit pieces highlighting his award winning color and black and white work. Some of these photos easily rival Clyde Butcher’s work in scale and composition. Just down the hallway, and over the resident hound, is what remains of Les Piper’s natural history collection, various reptile and aquatic skeletons and native artifacts.

 

 

Entering the gardens I noticed that all of the old growth banyans, tropical plumbs, kapoks and scheffleras remain, providing a beautiful canopy over the entire 3 ½ acre area. As I walked around the grounds I noticed several familiar sites. The alligator pond is still there as are most of the old cage areas that once housed the black bears and Florida panthers.

 

 

The mammals have been replaced with local rescue birds and exotic species ranging from parakeets to large parrots. A flock of beautiful pink Florida flamingos still grace the gardens as do a variety of reptiles. Some of the square concrete ponds that once housed injured alligators are now empty. Presumably, and hopefully they will eventually hold fish and other aquatic life. A collection of tortoises round out the animal collection of the park.

 

 

After spending an hour or so roaming the gardens and snapping pictures, I left feeling very satisfied. The gardens looked fresher and newer than ever. New displays of bromeliads and orchids, some of them rare, are placed throughout the park. A new butterfly garden is full of colorful blooming milkweed and shrimp plants. Large staghorn ferns hang from the giant branches of the banyan and kapok trees.

 

I left feeling that this jewel of Bonita Springs was placed in good hands. John Brady’s vision is to restore one of the last vestiges of a bygone era of roadside attractions while updating it as well. More information about Everglades Wonder Gardens can be found at http://evergladeswondergardens.com and you can visit the park yourself, it’s located in the heart of historic downtown Bonita Springs on the Imperial River on Old U.S. 41.