27 Feb Brookgreen Gardens ranks No. 3 in USA Today list of best sculpture parks in USA Once again, Brookgreen Gardens is ranking among the best in America. In a new ranking from USA Today/10 Best, Brookgreen came in at No. 3 in its list of the “10 best sculpture parks in the US”. To make the list, the public voted on parks from all over the United States. With the slogan, “Ever Changing, Simply Amazing, Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, is a beautiful and unique place, and it has received many accolades over the years. This sculpture at Brookgreen Gardens is by Anna Hyatt Huntingon is titled “Diana In of the Chase.” (Photo courtesy of Brookgreen Gardens) In announcing its best-of list, USA Today wrote, “Discover the allure of open-air artistry at these 10 sculpture parks and gardens, nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best across the United States. These captivating spaces blend the beauty of nature with the ingenuity of human creation, offering visitors a unique journey through large-scale masterpieces set against the backdrop of the American landscape.” And for Brookgreen, the venerable newspaper heaped praise, saying, “This National Historic Landmark hosts one of the best American figurative sculpture collections in the world.” Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,127-acre park with more 2,000 works by nearly 450 artists, was founded in 1931 by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. It has received many accolades over the years, and the latest from USA Today is not a surprise to those who live and visit the Hammock Coast – and certainly not to Page Kiniry, Brookgreen’s president and CEO. “We are,” Kiniry said, “incredibly honored to be recognized in the 10 Ten Sculpture Gardens in the USA list.” Other sculpture parks on the USA Today list were: (1) Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – Grand Rapids, Michigan; (2) Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park – Wilson, North Carolina; (4) Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park – Hamilton, Ohio; (5) Grounds for Sculpture – Hamilton, New Jersey; (6) Laumeier Sculpture Park – St. Louis, Missouri; (7) San Juan Islands Sculpture Park – Friday Harbor, Washington; (8) Griffis Sculpture Park – East Otto, New York; (9) Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – Minneapolis, Minnesota; and (10) Storm King Art Center – New Windsor, New York. Brookgreen is one of a few select places in the United States that has earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as well as being designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Riders of the Dawn” by Adolph Alexander Weinman (1870-1952) can be seen at Brookgreen Gardens. (Photo courtesy of Brookgreen Gardens) Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, said Brookgreen Gardens is a key asset to the Hammock Coast. “We are so excited that once again Brookgreen Gardens has been recognized for its natural beauty and unique atmosphere,” he said. “A Top 3 rating is an amazing feat. We are so proud to live and work in an area that has Brookgreen as part of the makeup of our community.” Some of the many accolades Brookgreen has received include: Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles again named one of America’s best holiday displays Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles again shining in national contest Magazine names Brookgreen Gardens one of the South’s best sculpture gardens Brookgreen Gardens has been described as a unique melding of art, nature and history. It features life-sized sculptures by Anna Huntington and other artists throughout the property. It is one of America’s premier gardens which also offers a zoo with animals native to the area. “Pegasus” by Laura Gardin Fraser (1889-1966) is one of the many sculptures at Brookgreen Gardens. (Photo courtesy of Brookgreen Gardens) Brookgreen Gardens is located at 1931 Brookgreen Drive in Murrells Inlet and is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily general admission tickets for seven consecutive days are: $20 for seniors 65 and over; $22 for adults ages 13-64; $12 for children ages 4-12; and free for children 3 and under. For more information, call 843-235-6000 or click here. By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® 0 Hammock-All, Murrells Inlet
