Our Future
The prospect of having five different types of gardens for the public to share is beginning to take on a form and hopefully substance in the foreseable future.
"People don't really understand the effect plants have on their daily lives. Our oxygen, shade from the heat, food, beverages, medicines, perfume and other personal care products, clothing, building materials, and so much more are derrived from plants" said Margi Buster, President and founder of Redland Tropical Gardens. She went on to point out, "The gardens will be outdoor classrooms for plant identification, research, cultural, intergenerational, performing arts, while being a sanctuary for the soul, a feast for the eye, and a learning experience for the mind and heart. We hope to build these locations where mankind and nature can effortlessly connect, where form and function flow together seamlessly for this purpose". The five slated gardens are: a Tropical Blooms Plantation, a Tropical Medicinal Garden (many African plants synonymous with healing), a Wetlands Garden (to educate both residents and international visitors about our unique environment), a Jungle Garden (all jungles are not created equal), and a Bay Garden (for educational and interactive purposes).
This county already has two world class tropical gardens. The first, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, is an unparalleled collection of the ancient cycads and palms from around the world, which are appreciated by the novices and the experts. The second is the Redland Fruit and Spice Park with its collection of tropical delicacies for both those who just like to nibble and for serious gourmets. If you have never visited these locations, it is an incredible experience with choices of a tram ride or a walking tour.
To connect all of the Gardens, with both our cultivated area (the Redland), and our unique wilderness (Everglades and Biscayne Underwater Park), along with other natural and historic locations in between we have been developing tours for several years. The purpose of the tours are two fold. They will prevent impaction on these delicate areas and provide a certified or interpretive guide who will be familiar with the area and trained in international hospitality. In several years we hope to be natures wonderland, wisely, without devastating its magnificent treasures.
However, if you are interested in being involved from the beginning or taking a tour now, we can accommodate you or your group.
Redland Garden Resorts will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the Redland Tropical Gardens, managing accommodations and facilities for our garden visitors. This enterprise will be run by a team that specializes in these services and is experienced in providing casual-elegant ambiance for our guests. As well as cottages, the management will administer the canteens, galleries and gift shoppes. This arrangement allows the Redland Tropical Gardens to concentrate on activities related to our mission and goals.
Each garden will provide opportunities to develop unique guest quarters that blend in with the landscape and compliment the botanical and educational goals of that particular garden. On site buildings of historical interest will be preserved and new construction will often reflect Old Florida Architectural Designs, using indigenous material whenever possible. In a number of cases, we will be utilizing innovative environmentally friendly designs to create, for instance, triplexes that allow for tree top viewing in our jungle garden.
With this professional team managing the Redland Gardens Resorts, the two proficiencies will compliment each other. While maintaining sensitive to our surrounding communities, this will allow the Gardens to become economically sustainable and prevent them from falling into ruins in the future, leaving South Miami Dade County with a living legacy of educational gardens throughout eternity.
Redland Tropical Gardens
240 N. Krome Ave. Homestead, Fl, 33030
Tours: (305) 247-5172 | Events: (305) 247-6572
Fax: (305) 247-3004 | Admin: (305) 247-2016
Irie Designs