Lisa Browder

When you think of “sunken,” do you think of a missing treasure? That’s what the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg are. You may never have known you needed it, but it’s a little bit of magic.

The story has it that back in 1911, six acres was purchased by George Turner, Sr. He drained a lake on the property and what do you think became of the rich soil at the bottom? He used the space for his favorite hobby – gardening. I gotta tell ya’, I chose to retire in Florida because I wanted a garden. I had dreams of a secret spot in my backyard filled with flowers and heady aromas. It’s a darn good thing I couldn’t afford to drain a lake because my space is a disaster. This one is pure inspiration.

It was a perfect day trip. Because of the tree cover, it wasn’t too hot and there were plenty of opportunities to sit down along the meandering paths to relax, listen to flowing water or, if you’re good enough (I’m not), identify the myriad plants. There are more than 50,000 tropical plants, so good luck with that. And if you’re not horticulturally gifted, you can take a seat at the growing stone. Supposedly, it bestows a talent for gardening. (Hmm. Maybe I didn’t sit long enough).

The website – http://www.stpete.org/visitors/sunken_gardens.php – says most of the paths are ADA accessible and are three quarters of a mile. “Some paths have a steep incline, but there are alternate ways to access all areas.” I might add that some of the pathways can be wet so tread carefully.

I liked the way you could turn a corner and be surprised. You might discover a shaded trellis with a bench, a manicured lawn perfect for spreading a blanket and laying out the sandwiches and lemonade, or Adirondack chairs in a perfect conversation circle. Pick your spot and hang out.

The Sunken Gardens are located at 1825 4th St. N. in St. Petersburg. Have questions? Call 727-551-3102. They are open Monday – Saturday from 10 AM – 4:30 PM and Sundays from Noon – 4:30 PM. The entry fee for seniors (62+) is $12.

I didn’t see restaurants on-site but there are plenty of places nearby. I chose to have brunch and found a nice place about two blocks away. St. Pete is a great place to plan an entire day filled with interesting things to do. You can meander lazily through the gardens in the morning, pick a place for lunch and find another attraction for the afternoon. That said, if you’re artistically inclined and like quiet inspiration, Sunken Gardens is a great place to spend the entire day.