Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum: A morning exploration of palms in paradise
Early on a Saturday morning in November, I pulled into the parking lot next to Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum. This hidden gem in St. Petersburg popped on a map search – my preferred way of finding new places to explore – one night while scrolling across Google Maps.
The name jumped out at me. A palm arboretum in St. Petersburg? Really? Sure enough. After brief research, I knew this place would make a great short stop on the way to or from another destination. With that in mind, I stopped here on my way to hike at Little Manatee River State Park.
The early morning light made the palms glow, and the wide brick walkways muffled quiet steps around the small, 2-acre city park. Though it was early, a few people strolled the grounds. A man sat on a bench tossing handfuls of feed to pigeons and squirrels. A couple walked their dogs through the gazebo and past a courtyard of benches.
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If you considering a quiet place for contemplation or just to spend a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown St. Petersburg, Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum is the perfect accessible place for this. Read on to learn more about this unique St. Petersburg park.
History of Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
In the 1960s and 1970s, a miniature golf course occupied this property. By the mid 1970s, the facility had become too expensive to maintain, and the city was looking for something new to do with the property. Enter volunteer Elva Rouse, a park volunteer and tree enthusiast. She suggested an arboretum, an idea the city ran with.
So who is Gizella Kopsick? She’s the benefactor whose donation made the arboretum possible. And it became a palm arboretum because Ms. Kopsick was lover of palm trees. Her initial donation of $16,000 in 1976 jumpstarted the project.
Starting with 60 palms representing 10 species, the park was designed with wide walkways in a meandering circle around the property to accommodate people with physical challenges. Gizella Kopsick herself was wheelchair-bound, a fact that was taken into consideration in the design of the arboretum.
It was dedicated to Ms. Kopsick on May 16, 1977, her 100th birthday. Though she was too frail to attend the ceremonies, she did tour the facility with her niece and nurse before and after its opening. Her initial contribution was followed by several others which helped maintain the park.
Over the years, other donations of trees and money have helped Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum grow to more than 500 palms and cycads representing 150 species. In 2014 the City of St. Petersburg purchased 300 rare cycads from the estate of South Tampa’s Dr. Young.
Dr. Young legally imported cycads from his travels around the world. His son continued the collection that eventually moved to Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum. The collection includes the endangered ‘Cycas scratchleyana’ which is believed to be the only one of its species in North America.
Exploring Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
Exploring the palm arboretum only takes a few minutes – 10 if you walk fast, closer to 30 if you take your time.
On this beautiful morning I spent more than 30 minutes reading the small signs near the palms, watching a man feed the pigeons and the squirrels fight over water in a dog bowl.
I sat under the gazebo for a big and strolled quietly along the brick pathways while others hurried past and voices from the street wafted through the arboretum.
Other Things to Do at Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
Though most people pass quickly through or sit a while, Kopsick Palm Arboretum also hosts weddings and other special events. The large green lawn under the palm trees in the middle of the park makes a beautiful setting, as does the gazebo.
The arboretum also offers educational programs and workshops. To learn more about them, visit the park’s website.
More Information for Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
If you plan to go hiking at [park/preserve/trail], plan your day according to the season. From October/November to March, the weather will generally be cooler and the humidity less stifling.
In April and May, the heat ramps up but the ground remains drier. These are typically our drought months.
From July to October, rains pour down nearly daily in the afternoon. The heat and humidity make hiking potentially dangerous, especially for anyone who is not accustomed to Florida’s heat and humidity.
Closing: Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
A visit to Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum is more than just a walk in the park—it’s an opportunity to connect with nature, find solace in its beauty, and learn about the wonders of palm trees. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to St. Petersburg, this hidden gem offers a peaceful retreat that will leave you inspired and rejuvenated.
Next time you find yourself in St. Petersburg, make sure to carve out some time to visit Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum. And if you love the arboretum, be sure to also visit Sunken Gardens, a truly unique botanical garden in St. Pete.
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