This 2.6-acre urban green space, which preserves and displays collections of South Florida’s diverse plant specimens, is situated on the historic Collins Canal, which helped trigger Miami’s popularization in the early 20th century when mangrove forests native to the area were replaced with polo fields and golf courses to cater to clients at luxury hotels on nearby Lincoln Road. In 1962, a park known as the “Garden Center” was established by the City on a vacant lot adjacent to the Convention Center, which was built five years prior. Plagued by economic recession and hurricane damage, the neglected park was nearly lost. In 1996, local residents formed the Miami Beach Garden Conservancy to form a botanical garden.
Redesigned in 2011 by landscape architect Raymond Jungles, the garden retains early landscape features including a Japanese Garden and its signature bridge, bamboo collection, and statuary. Additionally, a fountain designed by Morris Lapidus continues to occupy a prominent spot adjacent to the entrance of the Miami Beach Garden Club’s headquarters. Paths paved with pebbles and crushed shells circulate through the naturalistically planted park and a central pond provides the setting for large-scale sculptural features. An expansive greensward, known as The Great Lawn, accommodates large social activities and maintains sightlines to important vistas within the otherwise densely vegetated garden.
