Name of Garden:
History Bok Sanctuary
History:
In 1921, Edward W. Bok was spending the winter months in the residential mountain lake community located adjacent to the highest hill of Florida's Lake Wales Ridge, 298 feet above sea level.
With the requisite conditions for a subtropical garden in place, planting of bushes and trees was begun that would provide food for visiting birds. Today, these plantings provide shade to visitors as well as refuge for squirrels and more than 100 bird species.
The reflection pool was created to entice wild life to take residence. The Reflection Pool gives visitors one of the most memorable experiences in the Sanctuary. Its location captures the reflection of the Tower and offers the first image visitors have when entering the gardens.
Description:
The acres of ferns, palms, oaks and pines create a year-round backdrop of 1,000 shades of green for the seasonal bursts of azaleas, camellias and magnolia blooms that form an ever-changing work of art.
One of the best spots to observe the Sanctuary's native birds, wildlife and wetland plants is inside the nature observatory known as "Window By The Pond." Situated on the edge of a pond, the small wooden building has benches that face a large picture window where visitors can observe birds, reptiles, butterflies and native species in their natural habitat.
Address:
Historic Bok Sanctuary
1151 Tower Blvd.
Lake Wales, FL 33853
863.676.1408, ext. 2245
Directions:
From Orlando, Take I-4 West
From Tampa, Take I-4 East
Proceed on I-4 to Exit 55. Take Exit 55 and proceed south on U.S. Highway 27 for approximately 23 miles. Proceed two traffic lights past Eagle Ridge Mall. Turn left on Mountain Lake Cut Off Road. At the caution light, turn right (south) onto County Road 17 (also known as Scenic Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles. Turn left (east) onto Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A). Proceed on Burns Avenue for 1.3 miles. On your left you'll see a main entrance sign to Historic Bok Sanctuary. Turn left and proceed to the entrance gate.
From Highway 60 East or West:
Go to Lake Wales and proceed north on U.S. Highway 27. Turn right on Mountain Lake Cutoff Road. At the caution light, turn right (south) onto County Road 17 (also known as Scenic Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles. Turn left (east) onto Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A). Proceed on Burns Avenue for 1.3 miles. On your left you'll see a main entrance sign to Historic Bok Sanctuary. Turn left and proceed to the entrance gate.
From Vero Beach, Take Highway 60 West:
Go to Lake Wales. At Buck Moore Road (the intersection just past WalMart), turn North (right) onto Buck Moore Road (also known as 17-B). Turn between SunTrust and Walgreen's. Proceed approximately 1.3 miles. At the stop light, turn West (left) onto County Road 17-A (also called Burns Ave.). Proceed on CR 17-A approximately .7 mile to the entrance of Historic Bok Sanctuary on your right.
Admission and Hours:
Adults: $10
Children (ages 5-12): $3
Children (under 5): Free
Members: Free
Group rates are available with preregistration of 15 or more.
Website:
http://www.boksanctuary.org
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