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Explore Vancouver’s Living Maze
The idea of getting lost in crooked pathways or meandering slowly through curved passages has
facinated man since the dawn of time. Mazes and labyrinths have been made of hedges, stone,
corn, wood, and mirrors. They can be spiritual places or visually stimulating exercises.
THE LEGENDARY LABYRINTH OF
CRETE is perhaps the most famous of
all early paths. It’s said the labyrinth
wound beneath the Palace of Knossos.
The center was believed to be home to
a menacing minotaur (a half-human,
half-bull creature) that the hero Theseus
killed.
Remnants of other labyrinths have
been found throughout northern Eu-
rope. Some believe they were construct-
ed to confuse evil spirits. However,
it was during England’s Renaissance
22
explore: NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air | Spring 2019
The walls of the living maze tower more than
six feet in the air. This makes the deceptively
difficult maze even harder for a person of
average height. Even if you attempt to jump
for a better view, it can be difficult to orient
yourself.
period that mazes were designed as a
form of entertainment.
Kings and queens often includ-
ed mazes in their elaborate gardens,
growing them from hedges. Today, most
public mazes are cut into cornfields and
sport Halloween-themed mascots, like
scarecrows.
But scattered throughout North
America, you’ll find a half dozen hedge
mazes that harken back to a time of
young courtly love. Vancouver’s VanDu-
sen Botanical Garden is among the floral
displays carrying on this tradition. Near
the western edge of the 55-acre grounds
rests the garden’s maze.
It’s made from 3,000 pyramidal
cedars, each planted in 1981. For those
less-adventurous visitors, an observa-
tion terrace offers a view of the maze
and its participants.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
5151 Oak Street
vandusengarden.org