Essential Ottawa Magazine Where Ottawa Essential 2018 | Page 42

O n ly i n O t ta w a
Spring
Sanctuary
By matt harrison
In spring, the Arboretum is one
of the first places to be awash in
colour — especially as its perfumed
pink and white crabapple-tree
blossoms awaken our senses from
winter’s doldrums. Since 1889, the
collection of ponds, rivers, forested
trails, and grassy knolls has been
home to thousands of species
of trees from around the world,
including Japan, China, and Russia.
A treeless ridge in the centre pre-
sides over the entire park, offering
great views of the city for visitors
and locals alike. If the Arboretum’s
manicured geography isn’t wild
enough, explore the beauty of the
Butterfly Meadow or the Amphib-
ian Pond in the adjacent Fletcher
Wildlife Garden.
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