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About OVBG Task Force

The Task Force is a volunteer collaborative partnership whose mandate is to develop the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens from a basic park to a significant public asset, providing a destination for both residents and visitors to Oshawa.

The OVBG concept began in 1999 as a proposal from the Oshawa Garden Club, in response to leisure trends and in recognition of the community's growing interest in civic beautification - as exemplified by Oshawa's outstanding achievements in the provincial, national and international Communities in Bloom programs.

The Vision

The vision for the OVBG is to develop a unique botanical garden attraction in Oshawa. This is to be accomplished by incorporating the nationally-designated gardens of Parkwood, The R. S. McLaughlin Estate, with a series of modern feature gardens linked by the parklands and the natural terrain of the Oshawa Valley Creek trail system.

A Task Force, comprised of representatives from local organizations and community volunteers, was established in 2003 to formalize the on-going stewardship of the project. The City of Oshawa is the main provider of lands, site planning expertise and operating services. The role of the Task Force is to promote awareness and raise funds as well as engage the broader community in the achievement of higher-caliber garden experiences - with stronger horticultural themes, extensive educational programming, exciting community use opportunities and with promotion locally and to tourism markets in Durham, Ontario and beyond.

The first garden to be officially opened was the Peony Garden. It was established in the fall of 2001 with 100 peonies donated by the Canadian Peony Society. The peony collection now numbers over 275 plants and includes 250 cultivars. The succession of bloom starts around May 20 and continues through to about June 25. At this time a large collection of lilies are in bloom. A sumptuous planting of annuals continues to make the garden attractive well into the fall.

The OVBG also includes a collection of lilacs and hostas and a water feature garden can be found to the north of the Peony Garden. In 2006 the Oshawa Garden Club, in celebration of their 75th Anniversary, donated funds that were matched by the City of Oshawa to build a commemorative gazebo. Metal artist James Pronk crafted the stunning structure that creates a delightful focal point in the garden. A new pedestrian footbridge, also crafted by James Pronk replaced the wooden bridge in October 2006. In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Rotary International, the bridge was developed for the pleasure and enjoyment of the Citizens of Oshawa, in partnership with the City of Oshawa.

Set amidst the naturalized creek banks and old-growth trees the on-going development of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens will delight visitors for many years to come.