New botanical garden in Gainesville opens in May

GAINESVILLE - The new Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville, will open May 2, celebrating years of planning and development aimed at connecting visitors with both the natural word and cultural amenities.

As an extension of the renowned Atlanta Botanical Garden, the $21 million initial phase, developed on 168 acres given to the Atlanta garden in 2002 by Gainesville philanthropists Charles and Lessie Smithgall, will include a contemporary visitor center, 2,000-seat amphitheater, a model train garden, and five acres of display gardens featuring nationally recognized plant collections. Future plans call for an interactive children's garden, a native plant conservation nursery, and a student training and education center.

"The opening of this garden marks a dream come true for so many