Lightner Museum South Terrace and Community Garden

The Lightner Museum is revitalizing its historic south terrace and garden, transforming the area into a lively community garden and outdoor museum program space. Inspired by Henry Flagler’s vision for the Hotel Alcazar to be a site of enrichment, engagement, and enjoyment, the South Terrace and Community Garden Project will create opportunities for everyone to play, explore, learn, and interact.

Designed by St. Augustine’s Marquis, Latimer + Halbeck, the project encompasses the renovation of the Lightner Museum’s existing terrace and garden space at the rear of the building.

The museum will activate the space with new and engaging programs: as an outdoor classroom for K-12 students; as a space for sculpture installations by local artists; a community farmer’s market; for outdoor film screenings and interactive light installations; and for health and wellness programs such as yoga and fitness boot camps.

Parks are critical to a community’s spirit, and our South Terrace and Community Garden Project will create a safe and inviting public space at the heart of downtown St. Augustine. It will provide an outdoor community gathering space for residents of the city, offering greater depths of connection between art, performance, education, and the community. The project will enhance the Lightner Museum’s position as an important cultural destination in Northeast Florida, in turn drawing more visitors to St. Augustine.

Planned renovations include:

The original Alcazar tennis courts looking north to the historic terrace and garden.

The Alcazar Terrace
Approached from the gardens, the Alcazar Terrace is flanked by twin flights of coquina concrete steps. The expansive terrace provides access to the historic casino of the Hotel Alcazar, and will serve as a new point of entrance to the museum. Terra-cotta urns with lush foliage, elegant outdoor seating, and restored historic flagpoles flying banners and flags celebrating the country, the state, the City of St Augustine, and the Lightner Museum, create a welcoming space for visitors. 

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The Fountain Plaza

The centerpiece of the reimagined garden is the Fountain Plaza, an inviting open space of brick-tiled walkways framing the original fountain designed by Flagler’s architects, Carrère and Hastings.

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The Oak Shade Garden

To the east of the Fountain Plaza is the Oak Shade Garden. Festooned with Spanish Moss, the old oak tree has stood on the grounds of the Alcazar for decades. Pruned and shaped, the tree will become a space for visitors to gather under its sheltering limbs. During the day, the oak will offer natural shade from the warm Florida sun. Lighting in the tree will enliven the garden at night, offering an enticing space for evening programs at the museum.

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The Formal Lawn

To the west of the Fountain Plaza is the Formal Lawn. Meticulously landscaped, the Formal Lawn offers a contrast to the Shade Garden. A stylish, manicured open space framed by lush planting beds and trees, the Lawn will be a place for visitors to enjoy the sun, picnic, and partake in museum events.

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The Lightner Museum South Terrace and Community Garden Project is funded in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.