Abbey, who has been involved in the gardens since the 1980’s, will offer a landscape architects’ insider view of how the Botanical Gardens at Independence Park developed over the years from the first plantings in 1976 and give a hint of what’s planned for the future. He will provide a guided chronology from the time the land was a successful plantation through its use as the Baton Rouge Airport until it became the ten wonderful gardens within a garden you enjoy today. The most recent addition, The Southern Classic Walkway featuring Southern Living Plants, opened in 2018.  This garden collection connects the gardens to the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library. Future gardens are planned as are opportunities for community involvement by children, teens, college students, adults and families.