Mead Botanical Garden reopens after Hurricane Irma

Mead Botanical Garden reopened its doors to Winter Park residents on Wednesday, Oct. 11, the result of an ongoing cleanup effort after Hurricane Irma.

Executive Director Cynthia Hasenau said that the majority of the garden's 47 acres is now open, though a 10-acre section at the north side near the wetlands remains closed due to dangerous hanging tree limbs.

The garden opened up just in time to host the Autumn Art Festival Kickoff Party on Thursday, Oct. 12, with many more events to come.

"We are tremendously excited," Hasenau said. "We have seen a real response from the neighbors and the community. People are very glad to be back in the garden. We're really thrilled to be back."

Hasenau said that residents will have a chance to volunteer for a cleanup work day at some point in the coming weeks and months to pick up remaining debris from the storm.