Camino Gardens
Camino Gardens is a beautiful community of single-family homes located in the heart of East Boca Raton, FL. Camino Gardens is a community with a touch of "Old-Florida" charm, consisting of more than 430 homes situated among sparkling lakes & canals, mature trees, and lush, exotic gardens.
Camino Gardens Homes for Sale
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Features Of Camino Gardens Homes
Originally built in the late 1960's, many of the one-story homes in Camino Gardens have been remodeled and updated to include modern interior features. Homes for sale in Camino Gardens have at least three bedrooms with floor plans offering 1,600 to over 3,000 square feet of living space. Interior features include tile or wood flooring, updated kitchens with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, wooden cabinets, and spacious open layouts perfect for entertaining.
Camino Gardens homes are situated on large lots that are nearly half an acre in size, boasting beautiful backyards with private screened-in tropical swimming pools and outdoor sitting areas. Many of the homes also feature private docks and incredible views of the sparkling canals and large community lake. Additional outdoor features found in homes in Camino Gardens include spas, outdoor fireplaces, covered lanais, and full outdoor kitchens.
The Camino Gardens community is known for its picturesque, tidy appearance with meticulously-manicured lawns and hedges and charming homes with white barrel tile roofs. This quaint community also boasts narrow winding canals and creatively named streets.
History of Camino Gardens
Often referred to as the “Park at the Lake,” the Camino Gardens community was once home to the “Africa U.S.A.” theme park, America's first cageless African Safari wildlife park. In 1950, John Pedersen purchased 350 acres of land from the Town of Boca Raton at an auction for about $25.00 an acre and began the transformation of the northern portion of 177 acres, now known as the Camino Gardens subdivision, to a lush, African jungle. Miles of lakes and winding canals were dug and an artificial waterfall and geyser were constructed. Over 55,000 plants were added to the landscape and approximately 100 animals were collected in Africa and shipped to the property on the African Planet steamship, often referred to as a modern-day "Noah's Ark."
On March 10, 1953, Africa U.S.A. opened its doors to the public. Admission to the theme park was free, with a tram ride through the park, referred to as the "Jungle Train Tour" costing only 95 cents. Throughout the 1950's Africa U.S.A. continued to thrive as word spread and popularity grew, with over 300,000 visitors frequenting the park each year. John Pedersen had succeeded with finally putting Boca Raton on the map.
Unfortunately, after several legal battles involving the development of the road that is now Camino Real, as well as issues with the Department of Agriculture regarding the importation and care of African wildlife, Pedersen accepted that the success of the park had run its course. On September 4, 1961, Africa U.S.A. was sold and closed its doors for good. Africa U.S.A, the park that had been regarded as one of America's most well-known tourist attractions for over eight years, was truly a theme park before its time.
Reminders of the theme park can still be seen throughout the community today in the form of exotic trees and hedges, as well as the footbridge to Monkey Island, and the original lagoon with the base of the Watusi Geyser, which is still intact. In March 2003, The Camino Gardens Association installed a plaque to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Africa U.S.A, which reads as follows:
"At this site in 1953, John D. Pedersen and his family established "Africa USA," a major Boca Raton tourist attraction for nearly a decade. The 350-acre site drew some 2,000 visitors daily to view the park's camels, giraffes, elephants and other exotic animals and plants. In the park a "Watusi Geyser" erupted hourly from the rock still visible in the lake, throwing 1,000 gallons of water per minute, 160 feet into the air. Near the left edge of the lake are remnants of "Zambezi Falls," the park's 30-foot waterfall."
"Dedicated by the Camino Gardens Association in March 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Africa, USA."
Camino Gardens Location
Camino Gardens boasts an ideal East Boca location, situated on W. Camino Real and Camino Gardens Boulevard. Residents of Camino Gardens enjoy easy access to all of the area’s most popular attractions and amenities such as the Boca Raton Resort and Club, Mizner Park, many nearby community parks and local beaches, as well as several shopping centers and incredible restaurants.
Camino Gardens is also zoned for some of Palm Beach County's top-rated public schools. School-aged children living in this family-friendly community attend Addison Mizner Elementary, Boca Raton Community Middle School, and Boca Raton Community High School.
If Camino Gardens sounds like the perfect place to call home, you may also want to visit the nearby neighborhood of Palm Beach Farms, which also offers luxurious single-family homes in a well-established, family-friendly community in a great East Boca location.
Contact Us About Camino Gardens
If you would like to learn more about homes for sale in Camino Gardens or any of the other developments in Boca Raton, please call us at 561-998-9015. You may also reach us by completing the simple online contact form provided below. We at Champagne & Parisi Real Estate look forward to assisting you and your family find the perfect home in Boca Raton!
