Edwards Gardens is a historical botanical garden located in North York, Canada. It has been around since 1899 and was originally the estate of Rupert Edwards, a millionaire businessman who turned down more lucrative offers from private developers. The park features many sceneries including wildflowers, fountains, perennial gardens and more.
There are also activities available for visitors to enjoy such as walking tours through the various gardens. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to visit with your family or friends this summer make sure you don’t miss out on Edwards Gardens. The Edwards Gardens was an original country estate property turned into a botanical garden it is today, with wildflowers, perennials and fountains available for you to enjoy. There is also a botanical garden that has many different plants as well as an old-fashioned gift shop on the grounds. The park offers activities such as walking trails, and outdoor concerts.
In an Aug. 6, 1955 editorial, the Toronto Star urged the city to grab Rupert Edwards’ beautiful 26-acre country estate at Leslie and Lawrence, which the businessman offered for a bargain $160,000. Over $400,000 had been offered to him by developers. “No one will object to his wish that the park bear his name.” Edwards’s Springbrook Farm, which he bought in 1944 and developed from weeds into splendour, was named Edwards Gardens.
The founder, owner, and president of Canada Varnish Ltd. in Leaside, Edwards (1894-1967) also owned a home in Forest Hill. The area between Leslie and Lawrence was rural when World War II began, but development and accompanying traffic took over by 1955. It was a peaceful haven to spend time in Edwards Gardens. A Toronto resident’s great joy is knowing that there are men like Mr. Edwards, who dedicate years of their lives to the creation of beauty and then pass on the fruits of their labour for their fellow men to enjoy. A letter that Coote wrote to The Globe and Mail appeared on Aug. 15, 1955.
The property originally belonged to Alexander Milne, an immigrant from Scotland who was a successful wool and lumber producer in the 1800s. When Edwards purchased the land, most of which was a ravine, it was overgrown. Landscapers from a 12-strong team were brought in to do the work. Though he employed three gardeners, he did much of the work himself.
Thousands of bulbs, shrubs, and trees were planted on the ravine slopes. A truckload of stone hauled from the Credit River Valley was used to construct the rockery. An 86,000 gallon-per-day self-sufficient sprinkler system with its own springs was installed, so water was not removed from North York‘s system, which had been a concern.
In Toronto, park officials were excited that the result equaled or surpassed anything found on the continent. How much he spent was a secret; the press estimated “thousands of dollars.” Why did Edwards donate his creation? On Aug. 5, 1955, he joked wryly in The Globe, “There’s nothing left to do,” adding, “it would be a crime to subdivide it.”
There are a lot of things you can do here: You can walk around the botanical garden and enjoy the scenery. Take pictures of beautiful flowers, fountains & other things in Edwards Gardens. Spend a day with your family at Edwards Gardens. The park has some activities for children like slides or climbing trees. Have lunch on one of the benches near the pond inside North York’s Botanical Garden.
Do trivia about plants in Canada while you’re there! If you are interested to know more about Canadian flora, come visit “Edwards’ World Of Plants” store located outside the entrance gate where they sell books and souvenirs related to indigenous plant life.” Come visit Edwards Gardens to relax and enjoy a day out with your family.
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