Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

The Alfred B. Maclay Gardens represent a stunning legacy of horticultural passion and Southern botanical heritage. Originally developed in the 1920s by Alfred and Louise Maclay, the gardens were created as a winter retreat and botanical experiment, showcasing how carefully curated landscapes could thrive in Florida's unique climate. The Maclays were avid botanists and landscape designers who transformed their private property into a remarkable collection of azaleas, camellias, and other ornamental plants that would become a blueprint for Southern garden design.

In 1953, Alfred Maclay donated the gardens to the state of Florida, ensuring that this botanical treasure would be preserved and enjoyed by future generations. The gardens reflect not just horticultural expertise, but also the cultural and social landscape of early 20th-century Florida, where wealthy northerners were creating winter estates that blended architectural elegance with botanical innovation. Today, the park stands as a living museum of landscape design and botanical beauty.