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HAVE WE BECOME SO CALLOUSED AS TO MEASURE EVERYTHING ONLY IN <br />TERMS OF HARD DOLLARS, FAILING TO EXPLORE THE BOUNDLESS <br />POSSIBILITIES AND VALUE BEYOND THE PRICE TAG? <br />WILL VERO BEACH'S FIFTH GENERATION OF WOULD-BE VISITORS TO <br />MCKEE JUNGLE GARDENS BE ADMITTED ONLY THROUGH PICTURES OF <br />THE PAST?? <br />AFTER FIVE CENTURIES, IS THE "OLD MAN OF THE JUNGLE" <br />DESTINED TO FALL IN THE WAKE OF THE BULLDOZER? <br />AS A COMMUNITY -- CAN WE LET THIS HAPPEN 7"7'777 <br />1 THINK NOT -- BECAUSE LIKE OUR FRIEND THE JUNGLE... <br />WE HAVE GROWN FOR MANY YEARS AND WE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO <br />PROTECT AND DEFEND WHAT IS PRECIOUS IN OUR LIVES. <br />Kevin Doty, Vero Beach Councilman and local conservationist, <br />felt this is an opportunity for the County to do what is right at <br />a very reasonable price. He felt it is something we should do <br />because it is going to have a legacy far beyond our lifetimes. <br />In the process, he suggested that the County Commission consider <br />floating a bond issue to acquire the remaining wetlands along the <br />river, all the way down to Oslo Road and perhaps beyond. <br />Steve Hawkins, member of the Board of Directors of McKee <br />Jungle Gardens Preservation Society, pointed out the precise <br />location 'of = the subject property on a aerial view of the area. As <br />a point of reference, the McKee Jungle Gardens site is just south <br />of the Indian River Boulevard/4th Street intersection of U.S. #1. <br />It is a 19 -acre section that includes an easement for access into <br />Vista Gardens. In addition to the main site, there are two <br />sections of wetlands along the river that are available. A <br />section to the north is approximately 17 acres; the section to <br />the south is approximately 49 acres; and together, they have 2000 <br />feet of river frontage. A fourth parcel further to the south is <br />also available and that is 14 acres of wetlands. The focus of <br />their activity, in terms of preserving the property, is the <br />19 -acre original site on U.S. #1. The additional property along <br />the river and down to the south has some potential for active and <br />passive recreation uses. <br />15 <br />Iii!PR 2 5 1989 <br />6 i6 5 <br />