In the Fall of 2017, the Tetrault Family Foundation will debut the Sculpture Garden – Phase I of the diverse botanical and artistic beauty of one of Florida’s most breathtaking garden parks – the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens located in Punta Gorda, FL.
A fifty-million-year-old stone palm frond fossil serves as the inspiration for the logo and signature sculpture for these spectacular waterfront gardens that will encompass 27 acres. Mother Nature, featured botanical collections, architectural ingenuity and contemporary interpretive art will combine to offer one of the largest botanical and sculpture gardens in the State of Florida.
Within the Peace River’s watershed, which ultimately drains into Charlotte Harbor’s National Estuary, this waterfront oasis will encompass a diversity of both wetland and upland native habitats and an island amphitheater. All three of Florida’s mangrove trees are found within these tidal wetland communities, providing shelter and sustenance to many aquatic and terrestrial species. Flowering trees and plants will bloom throughout the year and more than 1,500 linear feet of boardwalks will provide optimum viewing of the river and the marsh.
Seven sculptures by internationally-renowned artists range from a 21,000-pound “Steel Palm” by Boston artist Jacob Kulin to “Ostriches” – two 20-foot tall human forms by Mr. Yu Zhaoyang from The People’s Republic of China. “Keel,” a massive lava stone structure is by Turkish artist Kemal Tufan. “The Thinker,” a spoof on the Rodin original was designed by Ichwan Noor, of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The Tetrault Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit foundation, is providing one of the largest endowments for public botanical gardens in the State of Florida – and will continue to provide funding to ensure that the Garden experience is improved, year after year.