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Sunken Gardens Creator Dies

Ralph V. Turner, former owner of Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg, FL, died of respiratory failure on March 12th. He was 80.

During his more than 30-year career as head of the attraction (he sold it to his sons in 1979), he imported a flock of pink flamingoes, built a King of Kings wax exhibit, created an aviary of hundreds of screeching tropical birds, and brought in rhesus and spider monkeys. He also included a fudge kitchen and a refurbished Coca-Cola manufacturing plant he billed as "the world's largest gift shop."

His father, George Turner, a plumber, acquired the site in 1902. He was seeking work and bought six acres with a sinkhole and pond on it, recognizing the potential of its fertile soil. He used the soil from the pond bottom to grow flowers, vegetables, bananas and papayas to supplement his plumbing income.

In 1935, George Turner put a fence around Turner's Sunken Gardens and charged admission. An entrance building housed a little gift shop that sold Florida crafts such as shell jewelry, carved cypress items and air plants. Ralph Turner and his brother, George, worked in the gardens from the time they were teenagers.

Turner is survived by his wife of 55 years.

[03/22/1997]

Sunken Gardens Botanical Park

Address:
1825 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL
Directions:
Sunken Gardens Botanical Park. I-275 exit 24. East on 22nd Ave. for about 25 blocks to 4th St. Turn right onto 4th St. Sunken Gardens will be about blocks south, at 4th St. and 18th Ave.
Phone:
727-551-3102
Admission:
Adults $10.
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