On the grounds of the Locks are the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens. When the Locks were being constructed, the Corps of Engineers hired botanist Carl English to transform the gravel dug up from the Locks' construction into an English style botanical garden. For 43 years, Mr. English labored on the seven acres of the Gardens. The results of his work are one of Seattle's beauty secrets. Most of the Gardens consist of lovely landscaping on slopes overlooking the Locks. A portion of the Gardens has lovely flowering perennials mixed with shrubbery in a bright, formal garden display of color and textures.