Prior Issue (Archive)
Gardens of Plenty
Great Green Spaces

There are lots of great places in Southern New Brunswick to visit. If you are interested in plants and flowers be sure to visit the Public Gardens at Rockwood Park, the Old Burial Ground, the Irving Nature Park and Kingsbrae Garden in St. Andrews.

Rockwood Park is just minutes from downtown. With 2200 acres it is one of Canada's largest in-city parks. It's located in a hilly, rugged and densely wooden area in the north-eastern section of Saint John. In 1865 the local paper pushed for the acquisition of unoccupied land on those heights to be used as a public park. However, it did not actually come into being until 1893 when the Saint John Horticultural Society was established. The Society was authorized, "to establish gardens and a park and pleasure resorts in the City of Saint John and to acquire for such purpose by gift, purchase, lease or otherwise all such lands, lakes, ponds and premises as may be deemed necessary for that purpose ....".

At the entrance of Rockwood Park is The Saint John Public Garden which is still owned and operated by the Horticultural Society, a volunteer organization. The three greenhouses which are used there and which are maintained by the Society, provide 70 - 75% of all the flowers which are grown for the baskets and plants used to beautify uptown Saint John. They also provide over 3000 geraniums, Saint John's official flower, for use in other parks and gardens. Wide pathways meander past the flower beds which display varieties of annuals which were more commonly in use in years past. These compliment the large elaborate homes from the early 20th century which face this garden and add to the feeling of stepping back into the past.

The Irving Corporation has created and maintains two very popular areas in Saint John. One of them, The Old Burial Ground, was considered on the outskirts of the city when it was opened in 1783. It was chosen by Loyalist settlers as the location of their first church and Burial Grounds. It was closed to burials in 1848 and through the years, it had become run down, pathways went helter skelter, headstones fell down and were left as they lay. In 1994, as a gift to the people of Saint John, the Irving family undertook a total restoration program. The burial ground has several entrances but the main entrance features wrought iron gates which face and reflect the original gates at the City Market entrance. The walkways are brick or granite. Even though it is in the centre of the City and is surrounded by busy streets, there is a feeling of tranquillity which is enhanced by a fountain, trees and large flowerbeds. After shopping or just walking around looking at the sights, the Old Burial Ground is a wonderful place to sit and relax.

The Irving Nature Park located in West Saint John on the Bay of Fundy was created by J.D. Irving, Limited to help protect an important and endangered area. This rocky peninsula also is home to part of a natural Acadian forest with tree species like Red Spruce, Balsam Fir and Yellow Birch. Mud flats and salt marsh are along one side and a long sand beach is on the other.
There is a vehicle road which circles the park with plenty of parking areas allowing visitors to leave their cars and walk on any of the eight walking trails. These are of different lengths and difficulty to allow visitors to tour the park without endangering sensitive areas. It is a popular spot for bird and seal watchers.
J.D. Irving, Limited maintains the park and provides park naturalists to give tours and answer queries from May to October. For further information call the Irving Nature Park manager at (506) 632-7777. Also visit their web site at www.ifdn.com

A lovely way to spend a day is in the Kingsbrae Garden, in St. Andrews, a 27 acre horticultural masterpiece and the National Winner for Attractions Canada as Best developed Outdoor Site in Canada.

Visitors can walk on paths through magnificent collections of over 50,000 flowers, shrubs and trees and just smell the roses or they can take part in some of the fun projects offered by Kingsbrae Garden. The cedar maze is a nice shady spot on a hot day. Finally enjoy a delightful dining experience in the Garden Café and view an exhibit of the work of local artists in the Kingsbrae Art Gallery or shop for unique gifts in the Garden Gift Shop.

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