Seven thousand five hundred plant varieties. That’s a lot of green. Welcome to VanDusen Botanical Garden. This isn’t just any garden. It’s a living testament to a community’s vision. A vision born from a public campaign in the 1960s. Imagine Vancouver then a city transforming. This land once a golf course now something more.
VanDusen Botanical Garden opened in 1975. It’s built on 55 acres formerly owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The city purchased it. They transformed it into this stunning oasis. It’s not just about pretty flowers. It’s about history culture and community.
The garden’s design is remarkable. W C Livingstone oversaw the construction. He shaped the water features and rock formations. Richard Roy Forster the garden’s first curator shaped much of the plant collections. His work spanned nearly two decades. His contribution is so significant that the Cypress Pond was renamed Roy Forster Pond in his honor. He received the Order of Canada for his efforts. That’s a big deal.
Stroll through the paths. Notice the ornamental ethnobotanical and demonstration gardens. There’s a Sino-Himalayan woodland collection. It’s immense bordering specialty gardens. It includes a cedar hedge maze a medicine wheel garden and Canadian heritage gardens. The garden’s layout is brilliant. It’s organized around picturesque lawns. A network of trails winds through the landscape connecting diverse collections. Even from the air it resembles an orchid. A very large very green orchid.
In 2011 a new visitor center opened. This modern structure is LEED Platinum certified. It boasts a gift shop a library a restaurant and a coffee shop. The design is stunning. It features a green roof undulating petals and rammed-earth walls. Stormwater is filtered naturally before entering the lakes. This detail shows careful thought.
But VanDusen is more than just beautiful plants. It’s a place of discovery. It’s a place of quiet reflection. It’s a place where people connect with nature and with each other. Think about the volunteers. They’ve been involved for almost 50 years. They care deeply for this garden. They actively participate in its ongoing success. They share their passion with visitors.
So take your time. Wander through these gardens. Let the beauty and tranquility wash over you. VanDusen Botanical Garden is a unique place a treasure to be cherished and explored.