LiveGreenNOW

By Traci Claussen

For every New Orleanean heading to the Florida Coast for a final long weekend of summer, let me suggest an eco-alternative to a long day at the beach: Eden Gardens State Park with its seven distinct natural communities and the Wesley homestead, nestled in moss-draped live oaks between Destin and Panama City Beach, at Santa Rosa Beach in Point Washington off U.S. Highway 98.

Over 100 years ago, William Henry Wesley built his home amidst his lumber empire which consisted of a sawmill, planer mill, and dry kiln with a dock to ship his lumber on barges up Tucker Bayou to the main port in Pensacola. A testament to his craft, the heart pine construction looks as fresh as it did in 1897. There he thrived until the Great Depression, which ironically coincided with his depleting the virgin forests of longleaf pine and cypress in this part of the state. (RE-forestation, anyone?)

In 1953, the home was sold with 10.5 acres and sat idle for over 10 years until a wealthy socialite from Pensacola by the name of Lois Maxon hiked through the natural Florida ground cover to get a peak at the house, snagging her pantyhose to shreds and falling in love with the property.

Lois Maxon converted the house into a showplace for her family antiques and heirlooms, developed the grounds into ornamental gardens and then in 1968 donated Eden Gardens to the State of Florida.

Tours of the Wesley House are given hourly Thursday through Monday 10am-3pm at a nominal $4 per person fee (Mary Elizabeth, a volunteer guide, gave an excellent, informative description of the house and its furnishings).

Afterward, enjoy a picnic by Tucker Bayou, enjoy a nature walk through a rose garden, butterfly garden, camellia garden, and reflection pool filled with Koi and lilies along the garden trail winding around the edge of the property. Their most colorful displays are October through May with peak blooms in March.

Pets are allowed on a six-foot leash throughout the grounds except inside the Wesley House; the grounds are open 8am until sunset 365 days a year.

Consider booking an eco-wedding or other special event at Eden Gardens at (850) 231-4214.

Elizabeth Eich, the Park Ranger, pointed out the new parking lot and BBQ areas near the bay where one of the pavilions will be 100% ADA compliant.  Kayaks can be launched just below, and local rentals are available with optional delivery to the park.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Eco Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.