DENVER (AP) - Denver Botanic Gardens had more visitors last year than any other public garden in North America, edging out the Washington, D.C. attraction that usually tops the list.
In an interview this week, Denver gardens CEO Brian Vogt credits a popular show by contemporary glass artist Dale Chihuly and the opening of a science exhibit. He's also seen increasing response to projects to help Denver's urban residents grow and find fresh food.
The result was more than 1.4 million visitors, substantially up from the previous record of 879,000 that Denver set in 2013. The top 10 list compiled by the Directors of Large Gardens put the United States Botanic Garden on the National Mall second with nearly 1.3 million visitors and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania third with just over 1.1 million.
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