Mobile Botanical Gardens celebrates 50 years

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The Mobile Botanical Gardens are marking a half-century of growing Mobile. Members of the gardens will celebrate their 50th anniversary this Thursday night.

The gardens in a way started by chance. The lake around Langan Park used to be the city’s water supply that prevented development on much of the land around it.

In 1974 the South Alabama Horticultural & Botanical Society agreed to develop and maintain 100 acres, leased from the city as the Mobile Botanical Gardens. Tuesday people were preparing for Thursday night’s big party celebrating a half-century. From coy ponds to calm trails, the place has grown considerably over the years. That growth has allowed them to continue their mission of conservation and education.

Julie Moore, Botanical Gardens Board Member: “The whole gardens is a classroom. It’s a living classroom. The classes that are out here are amazing, too. There are two classes for children. There’s the Nature Blast summer camp. There is trails and trails, which is a literacy program,” said Botanical Gardens Board Member Julie Moore. Despite being around for 50 years, the gardens can still be an undiscovered treasure. “This is a hidden gem in mobile. A lot of people still haven’t discovered it.”

It hasn’t been all roses for the gardens. In 2019 the gardens was in danger of closing due to funding issues. They credit city council woman Gina Gregory with helping them establish a support agreement with the city to stabilize their funding. Thursday night’s birthday celebration is sold out but they hope that others will discover this hidden gem in Mobile.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.