Flamingo Gardens keeps Davie's grove and wildlife story in one place

Flamingo Gardens helps explain a part of Broward County that can be hard to picture from today’s roads.

It began in 1927 as Flamingo Groves, a citrus orchard started by Floyd L. and Jane Wray. The Wrays bought land around Long Key in the Everglades. They planted citrus and opened the grounds to visitors. The grove later included many citrus varieties and a citrus lab, but the story did not stop with fruit.

After Floyd Wray died, Jane Wray created a memorial foundation in 1969 to protect the core property. The name changed to Flamingo Gardens. The place grew into a garden and wildlife sanctuary. In 1990, the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary opened with a bird of prey center. Later came the free-flight aviary and care for native Florida animals that cannot return to the wild.

For Davie, the garden keeps several South Florida stories in one stop: groves, hammocks, drainage, tourism, and wildlife. Check hours, tickets, weather, and animal-care updates before visiting. A slow walk here can make the inland side of Broward feel much more alive.