Pipers not selling Wonder Gardens

The Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs is not for sale.

Owners David Piper and his brother Lester have received several offers to sell the park that has been in their family since the early 1930s.

“There has been a lot of interest but we haven’t closed any kind of deal or anything,” said David Piper. “The offers ... weren’t in the best interest of our family. We’ve been around a long time.”

Because of its history and unique collection of Florida wildlife, it’s still a popular Bonita Springs attraction.

“We haven’t actively tried to sell it but everything has its price,” Piper said.

The property faces Old 41 in downtown Bonita Springs and is adjacent to the river.

“They say there is no other property that is for mixed use and commercial that is on the river and that is privately owned,” he said, referring to what he has been told by interested buyers. “We are the only piece left so there is interest all over the U.S. ... it’s pretty amazing.”

Despite offers and contracts for the property, the park itself is still garnering interest from visitors, he said.

“It’s the off season but we’ve been happy with the summer,” Piper said of the park that is currently doing routine maintenance on its major attractions.
For now, the family has no plan to sell the park and is focusing on serving traveling groups, schools and bus groups.
“There are a lot of places to shop but there aren’t any alligator parks ...,” he said.