FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 24, 2004
CONTACT: Kathalyn Gaither, (850) 245-2112

Maclay Gardens State Park Celebrates 50th Anniversary

--Park also added to National Register of Historic Places--

TALLAHASSEE- Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park was honored at a ceremony Saturday marking its “golden anniversary” as a member of Florida’s award-winning state park system. Top state and local officials, park visitors, staff and volunteers also celebrated Maclay’s recent inclusion to the prestigious National Register of Historic Places.

“Maclay Gardens is a world-class destination for visitors to Florida’s Capital City,” said Mike Bullock, Director of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks. “The gardens, along with its various structures, make it a gem in the state parks system.”

The park is famous for its beautiful gardens, created by New York financier Alfred B. Maclay. After his death in 1944, his widow, Louise Fleischmann Maclay, continued the development according to his vision. She donated the gardens to the state in 1953, and Maclay Gardens officially opened as part of the Florida State Park system on January 24, 1954.

A commemorative ceremony featured a reenactment of the original dedication of the state park, along with the unveiling of a plaque marking the inclusion of Maclay Gardens to the National Register of Historic Places. Tallahassee Mayor John Marks and Leon County Commission Chair Jane Sauls also presented city and county Resolutions regarding the park’s value to residents and visitors to the community.

Last year, Maclay Gardens had nearly 123,000 visitors and a direct positive economic impact of $2.8 million for Tallahassee and nearby communities. Park visitors can see 100 varieties of Camellias, 50 varieties of Azaleas and more than 160 other species and varieties of plants. With its various walks, paths, pools and the Maclay House serving as scenic backdrops, Maclay Gardens is the site for many weddings each year.

In 1994, the State of Florida acquired the Lake Overstreet Addition, including 877 acres of bicycle and multi-use trails and a scenic 144-acre freshwater lake. Since its acquisition, the property has become extremely popular for hiking, biking and horseback riding.