FIT Botanical Gardens

Melbourne, United States

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The FIT Botanical Gardens, also known as the Joy & Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden, is located within the campus of the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.

The garden originated in the late 1950s through the efforts of founding university president Dr. Jerome Keuper and his friendship with palm expert Dent Smith, leading to the cultivation of over 200 palm varieties from around the world. It spans about 15 acres of winding trails through a natural hammock featuring native and exotic plants, including water lilies and tropical foliage.

The garden incorporates historical elements such as Melbourne's oldest schoolhouse, known as the "Little Red Schoolhouse," dating back to 1883, which was relocated to the garden grounds. The botanical garden was officially dedicated in 1972 and has grown to be a key educational and recreational resource on campus, renowned for its plant diversity and serene environment.

A significant donation in 2019 led to the garden being named in honor of Joy and Gordon Patterson, who are faculty members at the university's School of Arts and Communication.