George and Lucy have been empty nesters in recent years at Sunken Gardens, a historic botanical attraction in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. The two flamingos were once part of 17 flamingos who made their home at the Gardens, one of Florida’s original roadside attractions. The two now anxiously await some new feathered friends.
“It has been quite the journey to get our new flamingos, and we couldn’t have done it without the commitment and enthusiasm of the community,” said Gardens Supervisor Bill O’Grady. He traveled to meet the birds prior to their journey to St. Petersburg and will monitor them closely the first few weeks in their new home.
Raising funds was only the first step in getting the precious pink birds to their new home in one of Florida’s most beautiful botanical gardens. In late 2015, the city funded a new night time enclosure to house the anticipated birds, and then in 2016, it finally received a commitment to purchase the birds from their breeder. The city underwent a rigorous adoption process, which included several required letters of recommendation and documentation of adequate living conditions. The Gardens will welcome them home with the community at a celebratory Flamingo Festival on Sunday, May 1, from noon to 4 p.m.