Commissioner Gerardo Vildostegui is spearheading efforts to reimagine and expand native plantings at Flamingo Garden Park as part of a 2025 Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden grant awarded to the Town of Surfside.
The project will add Florida native wildflowers and plants, including beach verbena (Glandularia maritima), Jamaican caper (Quadrella cynophallophora) and American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana). The landscaping expansion is designed to highlight the ecological value of native flora in urban settings, while providing habitat for pollinators and local wildlife.
Located on a barrier island, Surfside is uniquely positioned to model resilient and sustainable coastal landscaping practices. The Viva Florida program’s mission is to educate the public about the benefits of native plants and demonstrate their use in both public and private gardens.
Vildostegui is calling for volunteers to assist the project team this week to help bring the garden updates to completion. Residents interested in volunteering can email him at [email protected].
The park already features a pergola, bench, lending library and sculpture, making it a popular stop for walkers and cyclists. Once completed, the expanded garden will serve as a demonstration site for environmentally conscious landscaping that thrives in small urban spaces.
