Garden Spotlight: Flamingo Garden Park
Funded by the Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden Grant
Location: 92nd St & Bay Dr, Surfside, FL 33154
The Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden Grant brings native beauty to parks, nature centers and other public spaces, creating educational opportunities while supporting local biodiversity.
Tucked away in the small town of Surfside, the Flamingo Garden Park is a peaceful and inviting space for the community. Despite being one of the newest Viva Florida gardens, it feels as though it has always been there, fitting in seamlessly with the neighborhood’s warm tropical vibes. Prior to the native plant garden’s installation in September 2025, the site was a grassy lot with a hodgepodge of plants. It now provides a stunning example of how native plants can be incorporated into municipal and home landscapes.
Photo by Emily Bell
This project was the vision of City Commissioner Gerardo Vildostegui, was designed and installed by NaMa Native Landscapes, and is maintained by city staff. It features many wonderful South Florida species, including state-endangered Sea lavender (Heliotropium gnaphalodes), Coastal mock vervain (Glandularia maritima) and Bahama wild coffee (Psychotria ligustrifolia) and state-threatened Chapman’s wild sensitive plant (Senna mexicana var. chapmanii). Coontie (Zamia integrifolia) was also planted, and with the assistance of Commissioner Vildostegui, the once critically rare Atala butterfly has been introduced to the garden and is successfully hosting on it.
The City has great plans for this space, including additional education signage and learning opportunities.
Learn more about the Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden Grant Program and find a garden near you.