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r <br />DEC <br />91984 <br />BOOK <br />� <br />59 uu.142 <br />Department of Recreation and Parks and have a <br />letter of <br />support <br />from the Indian River County Historical Society, which Society <br />believes this area is eligible for listing in the National <br />Register of Historic Places. Mr. Driscoll again emphasized that <br />they are not asking the Board to spend any county funds or even <br />make any effort, but they do ask that the Commission support the <br />Committee's continued efforts to preserve this area for botanical <br />gardens and a nature preserve and "not rock the boat." Mr. <br />Driscoll asked for a show of hands of those present who are <br />interested and support this, and over one hundred people raised <br />their hands. <br />Commissioner Bird had no problem with that whatever. He <br />stated that he is all for all the parks and recreation areas we <br />can acquire, but did not feel we can spend two million dollars. <br />Commissioner Wodtke concurred that if this can be acquired <br />and they are not asking for county funds he certainly had no <br />objection to pursuing it. He did feel the dollar amount is the <br />key and did not believe we can condemn for park lands. <br />Commissioner Wodtke noted that McKee Jungle Gardens was very <br />tropical and was carefully maintained at one time and suggested <br />getting someone with botanical knowledge who could go through <br />these grounds and come up with some documentation as to whether <br />the plant structure is still there and is as valuable as it was <br />or whether the pepper trees have taken over. He agreed that it <br />once was a beautiful piece of land and he would be supportive of <br />any activities the people wish to pursue. <br />Chairman Scurlock also confirmed that the Commission would <br />be supportive of the Committee's efforts, but that we must <br />balance our budget and cannot come up with millions. He -stated <br />that the Board will be glad to consider what they come up with, <br />and staff will assist. <br />Commissioner Bowman brought up the possibility of obtaining <br />some funds from an existing botanical garden in the north that <br />might want to develop a southern botanical garden, but she feared <br />64 <br />