Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park |
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 Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park
Location in Florida
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| Location | Leon County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Area | 1,176 acres (4.76 km2) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
The Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens is a beautiful Florida State Park. It covers about 1,176 acres (4.76 km²) and is a botanical garden and historic site. You can find it in Tallahassee, in northeastern Florida. The address is 3540 Thomasville Road.
This special place is also a U.S. historic district. It is known as the Killearn Plantation Archeological and Historic District. It got this name on August 16, 2002. This district includes 18 historic buildings, 4 structures, and 4 objects.
Contents
Exploring Maclay Gardens: A Rich History
How the Land Became a Park
The land where Maclay Gardens now stands was once part of a large land grant. Long ago, before the American Civil War, it was part of the Andalusia Plantation. Here, farmers grew cotton. Later, in 1882, a vineyard on the property made wine. But in 1904, Leon County decided to become "dry." This meant no more alcohol could be sold. After that, the land became a place for quail hunting, called Lac-Cal.
Alfred B. Maclay's Vision for the Gardens
In 1923, a man named Alfred Barmore Maclay and his wife, Louise Fleischman, bought the Lac-Cal hunting land. They added more land, creating a huge 3,760-acre estate. They named it Killearn, after a village in Scotland where Maclay's family came from.
Mr. Maclay worked on developing the gardens until he passed away. His wife, Louise, continued their work. She opened the gardens to the public in 1946. In 1953, she gave about 307 acres (1.24 km²) of their estate, including the gardens, to the state of Florida. In 1965, the gardens were renamed in Maclay's honor. This helped avoid confusion with a new neighborhood built nearby called Killearn Estates.
Discovering the Plants and Wildlife
Beautiful Flowers and Trees
The main plants you'll see in the gardens are azaleas and camellias. These flowers are very colorful and beautiful. Many different kinds of trees also grow here. These include bald cypress, black gum, dogwood, and oak trees. You can also find Japanese maples, plum trees, and redbuds.
Other interesting plants include Gardenias, jasmine, and magnolias. There are also palmettos and sago palms.
Native Plant Arboretum
At the front of the gardens, there is a special Native Plant Arboretum. This area is cared for by the Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Here, you can see plants that are native to Florida. Some examples are Piedmont azaleas, Florida flame azaleas, and Eastern red columbine.
Exploring the Lakes
The park has several lakes where you can enjoy nature.
- Lake Hall
- Lake Overstreet
- Lake Elizabeth or Gum Pond
Visiting the Historic Maclay House
The Maclay House was built in 1909. It has been furnished to look just as it did when the Maclays lived there. You can take tours of the house during the peak blooming season. This is usually from January through April.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Activities and Amenities for Everyone
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park offers many fun activities. You can go bicycling, birding, or boating. There's also canoeing, fishing, and hiking. If you like horses, there are horse trails. You can also go kayaking, have a picnic, or go swimming. The park has a museum with interesting exhibits.
Other activities include self-guided tours with a brochure. You can also enjoy walking, running, and watching wildlife.
Accessible Features for All Visitors
The park wants everyone to have a great time. It offers many accessible features. These include an audio tour and a special beach mat for wheelchairs. There's also a beach wheelchair and golf cart tours if you arrange them ahead of time. Motorized and manual wheelchairs are also available.
Park Hours and Fees
The gardens are open every day. You will need to pay an entrance fee all year round. The park opens at 8 AM and closes at sunset.
- $6 per vehicle (for 2-8 people). This fee does not include entry to the gardens from January to April.
- $4 for a single occupant vehicle.
- $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, or extra passengers.
- $6 for adults to enter the gardens during blooming months (January through April).
- $3 for children aged 2-12 to enter the gardens during blooming months (January through April).
Gallery
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Chapman's Rhododendron (Rhododendron chapmanii)
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Saucer magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana)
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Yellow iris and red Japanese maple around the pond in Maclay Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida
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- Official Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens website
See also
In Spanish: Jardines del parque estatal Alfred B. Maclay para niños
