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128 | frvta.orgContinued from page 126Sunken Gardens, St. PetersburgLocal plumber George Turner bought six acres in 1903 and nourished a plant collection in the rich soil in what would become the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg. His efforts soon attracted neighbors for a stroll, and he started changing a nickel for tours in the early 1920s. Three generations of the Turner family continued the vision that created this unique tropical garden with flowing ponds. The city of St. Petersburg purchased Sunken Gardens in 1999 as part of a community effort to preserve the garden, located in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood. Thanks to the support of area patrons, the gardens acquired a flock of flamingoes. The city restored the building the Turners used for a gift shop and museum to its original Mediterranean revival style. The site includes an orchid arbor, amphitheater, koi pond, coconut grove, and meditation patio. For information about guided tours, workshops, upcoming events, volunteering, membership, or rentals, please visit www.sunkengardens.org. The site is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.