BOOTHBAY (AP) – A New York woman’s gift of land to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens will make the little-known attraction along Maine’s coast the largest botanical garden in New England and one of the largest in the United States, according to its executive director.

But Maureen Heffernan added that nonprofit gardens’ ultimate goal is even bigger: “Our vision is to become a world class botanical garden.”

The garden doubled in size to 248 acres this week when it accepted a surprise donation of 120 acres of shorefront property from Sally Jeffords Radcliffe of New York City. The gift also added momentum to an $8 million capital campaign that’s halfway to its goal.

The donation gives Coastal Maine Botanical more land for planting, hiking trails and scientific research.

Radcliffe’s donation creates an opportunity to extend an existing shoreland hiking trail that could run for nearly a mile along the banks of the Back River. In addition, the land has a waterfall.

“It is a one of a kind gift that can never be duplicated,” said John R. Giles, president of the Board of Directors. Radcliffe is the daughter of Walter Jeffords Jr., the former owner of the Newagen Inn on Southport Island. The gardens, which are not yet officially open, are located on land that was once planned for development. It has an access road and tennis courts. After the first phase of the project is completed, the organization will begin charging an admission fee of $8 to $10, Heffernan said.

The property will feature a 9,400-square-foot Visitor and Education Center with a cafe, education center, kitchen, lobby, library and fireplace. In addition, it will have hiking trails, stone benches, man-made waterfalls and many gardens.