Jack Ruenprapan, executive vice president of the Florida Cicerones Student Alumni Association, said the garden is a great idea because it appeals to different groups of people. Sometimes little kids aren't into football, but they'll love a playground. Maria Ramos, a May graduate, said she has pledged but did not donate to the project. It's just not aesthetic. A name for the garden has not been decided, Hymbaugh said.
Graduates can send in suggestions for the name with their donations.
The botanical garden, including The Children's Discovery Garden, is a project of the Department of Environmental Horticulture. The gardens will cover about 18 acres and will be situated between Fifield Hall and Lake Alice. Most of the area where the gardens will be constructed is an open field, so nothing will be torn down to build it, Hymbaugh said. Jennifer C. Bradley, an assistant professor of environmental horticulture, said the garden will probably include a flower display garden, a bird and butterfly garden, a shade garden, a plant-trial garden, a demonstrative garden and a children's garden. The plan also includes a boardwalk which will go around Lake Alice.