ROCK GARDEN NEARS COMPLETION
Despite unforeseen delayed construction schedules, Royal
Botanical Gardens is in the final stages of completing the
rejuvenation of its famous Rock Garden. RBG is phasing
the Rock Garden’s opening schedule, beginning with sneak
peeks for members and donors, and exclusive tours and
events taking place this fall. An official grand opening in
May 2016 will coincide with spectacular spring blooms.
November 14
to January 3;
RBG Centre
680 Plains Rd. W.,
Burlington, Ontario
• Visit Santa in his cabin with festive lights and extended
evening hours
• World-class botanical train installations and special
train weekends
• Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus: December 6, 12, 13
RBG still needs to raise the final $2 million to complete
the project and is looking to the community for support.
A donation program led by Mr. David Braley and Ms.
Nancy Gordon is still underway and ensures all donations
are matched up to $2 million.
A new entrance can be seen prominently from York
Boulevard and features a drop-off area in front of the new
visitor centre with accessible parking. The main parking
area remains in the original location across the road. The
architecture of the roof of the visitor centre represents a leaf.
The centre is the new main entrance with a welcome desk,
restaurant, and washroom facilities, and features a look-out
deck providing guests with an optimal view.
A new outdoor sound and lighting system has been
installed to extend hours and improve guests’ experience.
New pathways and stairways provide gentle grades for
improved accessibility. A pathway through the centre of the
Garden allows visitors to get from the top to the bottom
with greater ease.
The redesign of the garden is by Janet Rosenberg &
Studio Inc., one of Canada’s most distinguished landscape
architecture and urban design studios. The garden beds have
been designed in a style which uses bold drifts of herbaceous
perennials and grasses, chosen as much for their structure and
texture as they are for their flower colour. This design style,
considered permaculture, also has environmental benefits
requiring less re-planting and soil disturbance.•
• Weekends with choirs, live entertainment, crafts and more
Schedule at rbg.ca/holidaytraditions