Parks Open House Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Join us as we showcase the many behind the scenes areas of the “Parks Yard” (on Nursery Road off Park Boulevard). Tours will be led through the greenhouse, the composting facility, the native plant garden, and the SE Woods. Highlights of the day include a release of lady bugs and getting down and dirty weeding/planting at the native garden. You will also meet with the planning and design team to see how to turn design ideas into reality and chat with City of Victoria arborists about our Urban Tree Program. Families can also follow along on the “Nature Parade” – a fun program where families travel through sections of the yard including time in the SE woods looking at soil, plants and wildlife. The morning tour (10 a.m.) will be in English and the afternoon tour (12 p.m.) will be in French. Car parking is available on Cook Street. Bike parking will be available on site.
To register for any of the following programs, please contact the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre at 250.361.0732
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Parks, Recreation and Culture Department, Parks Division T 250.361.0600 E parks@victoria.ca www.victoria.ca 1 CENTENNIAL SQUARE, VICTORIA, BC V8W 1P6
More Park Programs and Events “Hands on” Pruning Course
Finally the much requested pruning course! The morning starts off with some classroom theory and then moves to the Greenhouse and surrounding areas for a “hands on” demonstration of correct pruning techniques. Staff will demonstrate pruning techniques on approximately eight different shrubs and trees (including roses) with lots of time for questions. Some walking will be required including stairs. Registration required. Saturday, March 23 9 a.m. – Noon
$25
Container Gardening – Flowers & Veggies
You asked us for this course and we listened! This course is for those folks wanting to expand their container growing options. The instructor will cover annuals, perennials and vegetables and how to combine them for both beauty and production. Topics discussed will include plant selection for conditions and design, layout, soil media, container types, maintenance and care for all seasons. Learn how to use all areas of the balcony to liven things up and create different types of green space. Registration required. Saturday, April 27
9 a.m. – Noon
$25
Remarkable and Rare – Cultivated Trees of Beacon Hill Park
Pollinators
These tree tours are such a hit, so don’t miss out this spring as we explore a grove of rare or exotic trees. Tour led by Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor of Arboriculture and Natural Areas. Meet at the children’s playground near the parking lot off Arbutus Way. Registration is not required.
One out of every four mouthfuls of food and beverage that we consume requires the presence of a pollinator. Pollinators help keep plant communities healthy and able to reproduce. In this course you will learn how pollinators work and how we as gardeners can provide a healthy environment in our gardens/ yards for pollinators. Registration required.
Sunday, May 5
Saturday, June 1
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Free
Hanging Basket Course
First introduced to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victoria’s incorporation in 1937, the placement of flower baskets on lampposts every June has signaled the start of summer in Victoria for over 75 years. Using a commercial grade hanging basket this course will provide the opportunity to learn to plant your own ‘sun’ basket with all the same materials as the baskets downtown. All materials provided, including expert instruction by City of Victoria greenhouse staff. Please note that the weight of the reusable container is approx. 60 lbs planted. Hardware can be returned after the summer season for a credit towards the following years basket course. Registration required. Saturday, May 11
10 a.m. – Noon
$90
9 a.m. – Noon
$25
Remarkable and Rare – Ross Bay Cemetery – PART TWO
Spend an evening learning about the trees of Ross Bay Cemetery on this tour lead by City of Victoria staff. Ross Bay Cemetery has one of the most diverse collections of trees in the City. It was used as a trial space for street trees by Herb Warren (Parks Director from 1930 – 1970). Most of the trees were planted starting in 1936 when Royal Oak Burial Park was created and they thought Ross Bay wouldn’t be used as a cemetery any longer. Most of the trees were planted over the next 10 years although there are a few remaining from when the site was the Ross family’s farm. This is definitely a tour not to be missed! Registration is not required. Thursday, June 20 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Free