Pinecrest Gardens

Parrot Jungle Island, which occupied this site for more than 60 years, flew the coop in 2001 to a $50-million complex on Watson Island. Although the owners took their thousand-plus alligators and crocodiles, flamingos, peacocks and parrots, they left the thousands of plants and flowers that now form the basis of this municipal park. In addition to being beautiful, the site contains a playground and offers classes and workshops in subjects as varied as chess and photography; it also presents monthly folk music concerts and occasional craft shows and it plays host to continuing education art classes.