What began with neighbours planting a few extra flowers has grown into 30 gardens and eight forested areas in northwest Calgary. The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs is celebrating its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of volunteer work that has turned the space into a destination for gardeners, dog walkers and people looking for a quiet place to spend some time. Liz McKay, a volunteer and board member, says neighbours whose homes backed onto the green space helped get things started. “They put a few extra plants they had in their yard, and then one thing led to another and here we are,” she said. “It’s a lovely place, and it’s all volunteer run and supported.” The gardens grew out of the BirthPlace Forest initiative, with the oval garden the first to take shape. Today, the gardens occupy part of a 20-acre multi-use park. President Sheila Leggett says about 145 volunteers contribute roughly 10,000 hours a year to maintaining and developing the gardens. Their work includes designing beds, tending plants and keeping records of what grows there. “And one of the things we do in the winter season is update our plant database,” sher said. “So, if you put your phone on that QR code, you will be able to find out every single flower that’s in that garden.” The QR codes give visitors a way to identify plants and find ideas for their own yards. Leggett says helping people discover flowers, trees and shrubs suited to Calgary’s climate is a big part of the gardens’ purpose. The Rose Bowl features more than 50 varieties of hardy shrub roses, and along with two other rose gardens in site, the space features one of the largest collections of Canadian roses in Canada. For volunteer Bev Espenant, who helps tend the roses, the connection people make with the space matters as much as the plants. “People find solace here,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and actually start crying when they just describe what the gardens mean to them. They are that touched.” Espenant says people also gather in the gardens for family picnics, weddings and other celebrations. Visitor Sandra Lesher has a favourite place within the gardens: the labyrinth. “You can walk and meditate and enjoy,” she said. For Heather Iverson, who grew up in the community and lives nearby, the gardens are somewhere she can return to throughout the day. “Having such a beautiful park so close to my house and this community where I grew up, just makes it wonderful,” she said. “I can pop by here multiple times a day. I just love spending time here.” McKay says visitors now come from across Calgary and beyond, though some neighbours are still discovering what is growing nearby. Leggett says the gardens share the park with people walking dogs and playing sports. “I think it’s a fantastic example of coexistence amongst people who have mutual interest in making sure they’re outside enjoying nature in whatever way that works for them.” The main entrance and parking lot are off Silver Springs Drive N.W. More information is available on the Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs website.
