Amid Rumors of Closure, Gumbo Limbo Remains

BOCA RATON -- Rampant rumors of Gumbo Limbo's decline or possible closure have left locals confused. But, according to staff, they couldn’t be further from the truth. 

“We are definitely not closed; we are open to the public nearly every day of the year. Last year alone, we welcomed over 250,000 visitors,” Leanne Welch, manager of Gumbo Limbo.

Much of the recent confusion stems from the closure of the center’s gift shop and sea turtle hospital–both of which had been managed by Coastal Stewards, an organization that was independent of Gumbo Limbo and that dissolved earlier this year. 

However, plans are already in motion to reopen both spaces. 

“We are working with the city’s finance department to find a new vendor to reopen and operate the gift store,” said Welch. “The area formerly occupied by the sea turtle rehabilitation facility is being re-designed and repurposed, taking advantage of the location and the seawater flow to expand our environmental education exhibits and public programming opportunities.”

She hopes that both spaces will be reopened by January 2026. 

Since opening in 1984, the center has grown from a small community project into an internationally recognized site for environmental education. Its outdoor aquariums house hundreds of native fish species, and three resident sea turtles: Lefty, Morgan, and Lady McNubbins have become local favorites. People can explore the butterfly garden, shaded boardwalks, and the 40-foot observation tower overlooking Boca’s coastal forests. 

Gumbo Limbo is also a beloved anchor for the community. 

“Gumbo Limbo is not just a park — it is part of Boca’s identity,” said Lily Feroce, a 19-year-old sophomore at Florida Atlantic University and Boca Raton resident. “It is one of the few places where you can just slow down and be surrounded by nature. It has always been peaceful, no matter how many people visit.”

For many, Gumbo Limbo holds emotional and nostalgic value. 

“I grew up in Delray Beach, and my grandma would take my cousins and me once a week, so to me it is very nostalgic,” said Julia Sole, a 19-year-old sophomore at Florida Atlantic University's honors college and Boca Raton resident. “My brother, who is a decade younger than me, now gets to go with us.”

Despite the temporary closures, Welch remains optimistic about the center’s future. “The future of Gumbo Limbo is bright,” she said. “We are always updating our exhibits and programs. I encourage everyone to see for themselves.”

After forty-one years of conservation, education, and community connection, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center remains an enduring part of Boca Raton’s identity and, according to those who know it best, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.