TAMPA, Fla — A detour one day from Curtis Hixon Park took Jessie Sthelick through Kiley Garden and down memory lane.

"This is such a beautiful prime space and there is so much potential," said Sthelick.

After realizing how much the garden was in disrepair she started a movement to get it on the right path.  

Along that journey she met Linda Saul-Sena who co-founded Friends of Kiley Garden. 

Former owners, Nations Bank built it 33 years ago and invested $150 million on the design. 

"It's so complex, sophisticated and exciting," said Saul-Sena. 

Dan Kiley, one of the most respected landscape architects, was chosen to oversee the garden which sits on top of a two-story garage. 

"He's the first landscape architect to win the Presidential Medal of Art. He did the garden for the Air Force Academy, the St. Louis arches, the National Gallery of Art. He's a huge deal but folks here don't know." 

They want to educate the next generation and celebrate what Kiley contributed to the city of Tampa. 

Of the 28 gardens Kiley designed, Saul-Sena says Tampa's is the only one in jeopardy.

"To respect this we should take care of it," she added. 

Saul-Sena says honoring Kiley's orginal design is the best way to do that. At one point there were fountains. Eight hundred trees were also planted but when they got too big they were removed. 

"The trees would provide a beautiful respite from the Florida heat," said Sthelik. 

Beside the garden is an amphitheatre — another section that needs repairs. 

"There is so much to be done," said Sthelik. "It's a gem right in the middle of downtown."