Gale Zappacosta is cultivating a garden that is creating a legacy of enduring beauty.
The long-time island resident recently opened Cayman Seaside, a multi-purpose garden events centre in Savannah.
“There really isn’t anything like it in Cayman,” she says. “It’s beautiful, it’s unique and it really does make for memorable events.”
Cayman Seaside caters to such events as weddings, conventions and memorials.
The seaside events centre is highlighted by a manicured great lawn, statuesque stone pillars, amphitheatre, alcoves, viewing platforms and barbecue and picnic area.
Scenic walking trails are bordered by low stone walls that can double as seating, with shaded benches dotted along the way.
The crescent-shaped area overlooks the sea, making for breathtaking panoramic views.
“It’s a striking site, and it definitely has a European flavour because of the pillars,” says Gale.
The picturesque space is ideal for all types of gatherings, large and small, and has been carefully designed to accommodate multiple groups.
At night, the space lights up with tiki lamps and solar lighting.
GROWING POTENTIAL
Gale created the space with her late husband Robert ‘Uncle Bob’ Zappacosta, who passed away in early 2024.
Cayman Seaside is part of a greater vision of the four-acre Savannah site, located at the end of Buddy’s Way. The garden events centre sits on one half of the property, while the other half features a commercial garden farm with a fruit orchard, greenhouse and 4,000-square-foot conference and training centre.
It was a passion project for both as the couple’s concept was to use the funds earned from these ventures to support their non-profit, The Island House. Incorporated in 2021, the charity helps under-resourced Caymanian youth, ages 11 to 17, reach their potential through development programmes, camps and workshops delivered on-site.
“It is a work of the heart,” says Gale. “With these resources, we aim to ignite brighter futures for youth who would benefit from receiving tailored guidance and mentorship.”
NATURAL ELEMENTS
The couple purchased the land in 2011 and began meticulously planning and designing the area.
“The site we are using was just a raw piece of land – there was nothing on it,” says Gale.
They kept the more natural architectural elements on the site – including an escarpment – as well as local trees such as sea grape, paw-paw, cabbage, smokewood and strawberry.
“I picked the local trees that would lend themselves to the terrain,” she says.
Cut ironshore was used to create pavers to line several trails and walkways.
“It’s gorgeous,” says Gale. “Ironshore will vary from absolute ivory white, right through to speckled browns to burnt umber.”
Segments of ironshore on the site have been planted with bromeliads to add interest and colour.
“We have quite a kaliedescope of colour, with everything from deep purples to super greens,” she says. “It’s an amazing plant to use on ironshore.”
GARDEN FARM
The garden farm grows a variety of produce which it supplies to Kirk Supermarket as well as for its farm-to-table dinners.
There are more than 100 varieties of fruit trees on-site – spanning from pimento, avocado and mango to ackee, banana and guava – and most are now beginning to produce.
While it is a commercial enterprise, the grounds have been designed as a tranquil space that visitors can stroll through, as well as a setting to take photographs of weddings and other events and ceremonies.
To maximise space for growing produce, the farm has vertical gardens, including a cascading tomato patch, and areas that have been planted in a canopy of layers.
Among her goals is to create a medicinal garden to preserve Cayman’s heritage. But the vision of the purpose-built gardens remains to support Caymanian youth in realising their goals and potential.
“It is creating a deeper, lasting beauty of another kind,” says Gale.
This article originally appeared in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of InsideOut magazine.
