Colasanti's Tropical Gardens
Colasanti's Tropical Gardens is an indoor entertainment and shopping centre, situated in the community of Ruthven, part of Kingsville, Ontario. The tropical gardens are housed in 15 temperature-controlled greenhouses and feature exotic birds (Macaw, Cockatoo, Amazon Parrot), home grown tropical plants, a small produce market, domestic and miniature animals, kids rides, an 18-hole mini golf course, home decor shopping, and a restaurant.
History
Colasanti's started producing vegetables and greenhouse crops in 1941, they also had a small fruit stand. In 1955 their greenhouses began growing lemon and orange trees.
In 1972 cactus and tropical plants were added to Colasanti's production. Today, Colasanti's has a wide variety of indoor and seasonal plants. It has expanded into a local family entertainment centre and tourist attraction.
It is currently a fourth generation family owned and operated business.
In 2005 the World Society for the Protection of Animals (Now known as World Animal Protection) inspected the animal attractions at Colasanti's. Of the five enclosures that were reviewed, Colasanti's Tropical Gardens received five failing grades with an average score of 18 out of 50 making it one of the five worst reviewed "zoos" in Ontario.[1]
Events
Colasanti's is home to the Ruthven Apple Festival,[2] an annual fundraising event for the Windsor and Essex County Community Living Organization.
Other popular events at Colasanti's include a "Horror Hayride" in October, Family Day, and March Break Madness.
Free Events: Trick or Treat Night: Halloween Horror Hayride, Meeting Santa: Christmas At Colasanti's, Easter Egg-stravaganza: Good Friday Easter Activities.
References
- Gold, Dr. Ken. "Failing The Grade: A Report On Conditions In Ontario's Zoos". WSPA 2005
- "Community Living: Ruthven Apple Festival information". Community Living Essex County. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2011.