Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville, Florida, developed from a community effort led by the North Florida Botanical Society, formed in 1977 to create a public botanical garden for North Florida. Work began in 1978 on leased land, expanded in 1981 to its present 62 acres, and the gardens opened in 1986. Community donations, public work grants, and later outside support helped build its gardens, loop trail, gazebos, boardwalks, and irrigation system. Known for extensive collections including bamboo, herbs, palms, roses, ferns, and cycads, Kanapaha had Florida’s largest public bamboo garden and the Southeast’s largest herb garden as of 2005.