VanDusen Botanical Garden celebrates 50 blooming years

VanDusen Botanical Garden is marking a major milestone this summer, celebrating 50 years on Saturday, August 30 from 10 am to 5 pm.

The Garden will host a one-day celebration filled with live entertainment, activities and crafts, food vendors and community connections that honour the Garden’s roots as it looks forward to a blooming future. All event activities are included with Garden admission or membership.

Visitors can explore the 55-acre garden and its 70 vibrant plant collections while enjoying programming throughout the property. Long-time community partners will lead activities including floral crown-making with Fleurs de Villes, origami with the Japan Fair Association of Vancouver and face painting with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. In the Visitor Centre, local horticultural societies such as the Vancouver Orchid Society and Vancouver Mycological Society will offer plant demonstrations and gardening tips.

In addition, three themed zones will offer various games and hands-on learning for all ages. Guests can explore nature’s interconnected systems in the Biodiversity Zone, get creative in the Art Zone and discover the Garden’s newest outdoor classroom in the Learning Garden Zone, featuring local honey sampling and plant-based dyes.

Event details

VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street

Saturday, August 30 from 10 am to 5 pm (Garden open from 9 am to 7 pm)

Live entertainment schedule

• 11 am – Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack)

• Noon – Oh Clementine

• 1 pm – Taiko Drumming (GO Taiko & Taiko 55)

• 2 pm – Aurora Celebration Choir

• 3:30 pm – Rumba Calzada

Ticket information

The 50 Year Celebration is included with garden admission or membership. Prices are subject to GST.

• Adult (19 to 64): $15.05

• Senior (65+): $10.55

• Youth (13 to 18): $10.55

• Child (5 to 12): $7.55

• Preschooler (4 and under): Free

• Garden Member: Free (no ticket required)

Save by purchasing online in advance. Visit vandusengarden.ca for more details and to buy tickets.  

Garden roots and a 50-year partnership

The flourishing land where VanDusen Botanical Garden now thrives has a rich history that long predates the Garden itself. Since time immemorial, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations stewarded and cared for the land.

In the early 1900s, developers created the first 18-hole golf course in Vancouver on the site—Shaughnessy Heights Golf Club. When the CPR gave the club notice that their lease would not be extended, they relocated. Officials debated the land’s future until they decided to purchase 55.5 acres for parkland. In 1966, 89 citizens formed what is now known as the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association, advocating for the land to be used for a botanical garden rather than a standard park. With support from botanical experts around the globe, the land was purchased and the City gave development and management responsibility to the Board of Parks and Recreation.

After anonymously donating one-third of the development costs through the Vancouver Foundation, W.J. VanDusen agreed to let his name be known for the official title of the new botanical garden. VanDusen Botanical Garden officially opened on August 30, 1975. Today, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association continue to jointly operate the Garden.

Quotes 

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation – Emily Schultz, Acting Garden Director

“For 50 years, the VanDusen Botanical Garden has been a space inspiring connection, curiosity and an appreciation for the world of plants. We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with the community as we look ahead to a blooming future. Whether you’ve been visiting for decades, or are discovering the Garden for the first time, we invite everyone to take part in the celebration.”

Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association – Stephen Shapiro, Executive Director

“This milestone is a testament to the power of community and shared stewardship. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to inclusive access to nature, the promotion of Indigenous perspectives and knowledge, and cultivating meaningful connections. From the founding members of the VBGA, to today’s volunteers, generous donors and incredible staff at both the Park Board and VBGA, VanDusen Botanical Garden is the result of a collective passion and purpose to connect people to plants.”