Cultural Landmarks of Hamilton-Wentworth

The Royal Botanical Gardens

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The Royal Botanical Gardens focused its energy on the development of the Hendrie Valley Park(Rose Garden) in April of 1951. They planted trees and planned to lay a walkway one hundred yards from the memorial gates to the look out point. The walkway was to be separated by flowers. At this point in time, the work on the Spring Gardens had also begun with the implementation of the Lily and Iris show. As these plans were set in motion, the Royal Botanical Gardens experienced its first major economic crisis. The City of Hamilton threatened to cut funding to the Royal Botanical Gardens, because the Provincial Government had not kept its promise of continued funding. In fact, the City of Hamilton had spent approximately a half a million dollars on the Royal Botanical Gardens' upkeep since 1941. In March of 1953, the Provincial Government granted the Gardens one hundred thousand dollars. Moreover, the Gardens requested Federal aid for the maintenance of the grounds.

New additions and developments were occurring within the gardens. The first stages of the construction of the Arboretum had begun in 1953. As well, the memorial gates for the Hendrie Valley park had been installed by 1954 and they were dedicated with a plaque on October 12, 1954 and the corner stone was laid by Ontario Premier Leslie Frost on May 1957 for the Museum. The Royal Botanical Gardens coat of Arms was unveiled March 20, 1957.

Nevertheless, the Royal Botanical Gardens was facing heavy financial burdens. As early as March 1959, suggestions were made by the Warden of Wentworth County, Leslie Thomas to charge a twenty-five cent admission fee. Since it had been reported that two hundred fifty thousand people visited the garden a year, a twenty five cent admission fee could generate revenues that approached fifty thousand dollars a year. The garden was in a predicament, since the Provincial Government had decreased its grant from one hundred thousand to fifty thousand dollars. This meant that as of 1957, the gardens would be in debt by $66,000. By June 1959, the Royal Botanical Gardens was in major financial difficulty and no expansions were planned. It was reported that the maintenance of the gardens was almost impossible. Nevertheless, the gardens prevailed as a $75,000 grant was approved for McMaster University to use for the Royal Botanical Gardens in February 1960.

The Royal Botanical Gardens was trying to find other solutions to their financial situation which included proposing the Hamilton Royal Botanical Gardens becoming the National Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens also approved the construction of a tearoom, which was completed and dedicated on July 5, 1962 by Mayor Lloyd D. Jackson.

In January 1963, the Royal Botanical Gardens decided to open a rose garden which would be located in the Hendrie Park. This garden was to house hundreds of different species of roses. The Royal Botanical Gardens' Sunken Garden located on Main Street West and 130 acres of Royal Botanical Gardens land were acquired by McMaster University in November of 1963, and the University assured worried local residents that they had no plans to remove the garden situated on Main Street West.

In January of 1965, the Hendrie Valley Park was allotted $25,000 for the construction of the fountain court which was to cost $140,000. Nevertheless, the fountain project was completed by October, 1965.

By May of 1967, the Royal Botanical Garden was experiencing severe financial difficulties which led to the reduction of staff. The Sunken Gardens McMaster had acquired on Main Street West were scheduled to be demolished and replaced with a $65,000,000 medical facility.

Budget problems surfaced again in 1970, when the Garden announced the Spring Garden which began with the Lily and Iris shows might close. However, the Royal Botanical Gardens always found a way to continue to operate. By January 1972, it was announced that the Children's Programs were to be expanded to include more children each year from seventy six to ninety six. Moreover, the Arboretum was given a $50,000 grant from the Provincial Government to create a new pavilion in the rose garden, to build a road to the Arboretum, and to develop a coniferous tree area. In April of 1974, grants for the Royal Botanical Gardens grew by sixty-five percent, due to an increase in Provincial Government support.

The roads in the Royal Botanical Gardens to the Tea House were closed to outside traffic in June, 1974, due to the construction on York Boulevard and the pollution and noise of the cars. Many complaints were issued regarding the long walk that was required to reach the Tea House. Nevertheless, these debates soon died down as the New Rose Garden Arbor was built in 1975. By 1976, it was apparent that Thomas Baker McQuesten's contribution to the formation and development of the Royal Botanical Gardens had not be appropriately acknowledge. Therefore, in May of 1976 a plaque was presented in the Rock Gardens in honor of Thomas Baker McQuesten.  During the same time period, it was decided that the data on the gardens would be house at the Royal Botanical Garden's lodge and administrative staff would also be located in the same building.

The Royal Botanical Gardens' increasing budget was not solely caused by the expansion of the ground. In fact, in February of 1977 the Royal Botanical Gardens' budget increased by nine percent due to vandalism alone.

The Royal Botanical Gardens' present headquarters in Burlington opened in 1957. However, there was a need to expand the current location and it was estimated to cost almost $4,000,000. The city of Burlington donated $150,000, Ministry of Culture and Recreation donated $1,800,000, Hamilton-Wentworth donated $500,000, the Royal Botanical Gardens was to raise $750,000, and Wintario was to grant the remaining funds.

The new building was to be approximately 4,500 square feet. The first floor would be comprised of a Floral Art Shop, Visitor Orientation Centre, staff wing, Horticultural Workshop, lecture room, weather station, and Horticultural Hall. The second floor would house the library, seminar/board room, and a lecture studio. The basement would be dedicated to a Herbarium.

A new educational program called "Horticulture as Therapy" was introduced for the disabled in 1977. The six courses with three hour sessions and was the first of its kind in Ontario and taught how to apply and develop horticultural therapy program in a health care setting.

On December 14, 1977, the Royal Botanical Gardens was given control over 600 acres of Cootes Paradise by the authority of the Hamilton Harbor Commission. The continuing goals of the Royal Botanical Gardens were evaluation, and research, analysis, detection and cure of diseases.

Many changes occurred to the Royal Botanical Gardens during the 1980's. There were changes to the Children's programs which included the addition of nature hikes and games. Other program additions included Chinese brush painting, bird watching, cross country skiing, house plant propagation, special tours for the disabled, Princess Point rink skating, a greenhouse, and noon hour nature walks.

January 1983, discussions began to evaluate the need for admission fee. In April of that same year, a parking fee was introduced which was two dollars, or a family membership for fifteen dollars, or a single for ten dollars, while handicapped parking was free.

More positive changes also occurred in the gardens which included the development of a herbal remedy garden which was opened in 1985 and was the second garden of its kind in Canada. While the construction of the green house was begun in 1984, it was open to the public in 1986. This development cost approximately 1,400,000 and would be attached the Royal Botanical Gardens' headquarters in Burlington. A live radio gardening show was also developed by the Royal Botanical Gardens. The show would attempt to answer gardening questions on CING FM 108 every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. In 1986, there was also the addition of a garage which would house large equipment such as tractors which was funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture. The same year also brought Provincial requests to make the Royal Botanical Gardens bilingual. However, the cost to change all the signs would be enormous, so the Royal Botanical Gardens requested the funds from the government. Other changes included the introduction of Art Shows, the Japanese styled garden in 1987, the Christmas tree recycling program in 1988, and a new restaurant among the roses called the Turner Pavilion restaurant in 1989.

The 1990's were no different than any other decade when it came to deficits. In fact, there was a predicted shortfall of funds in 1990 and 1991 which promoted discussions of admission fees once again. On May 4, 1991 the Royal Botanical Gardens instituted admission fees for the gardens which were as follows: Regular $4.28, Children and Seniors $3.25, and a Family Pass was $10.70. All of the prices included the parking fee. The institution of the admission fee coincided with the Royal Botanical Gardens' fiftieth anniversary. Even though the gardens were facing major fiscal restraints, many individuals refused to accept the fact the garden's were forced to institute a fee. In fact, on December 17, 1992 the Royal Botanical Gardens prepared to shut down over Christmas for the first time in its history.

In August of 1993, the Royal Botanical Gardens presented a future plan which included the introduction of a tram. The tram would give a guided tour ride past the Valley Inn Road, through Sunfish Pond, to the Rock Garden. In 1994, more changes occurred as the Gardens Cafe opened in the Royal Botanical Gardens Centre. By the mid 1990's, funding for the gardens began to increase as the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation donated just over a half a million dollars, and the donation of $2,000,000 from Robert J. Higginson, a Burlington Entrepreneur. As well, the gardens raised money through auctions and plant sales. The increase in funds made it possible for the gardens to open an Aviary for the Teaching Gardens in Westdale. The Aviary which house 1,000 birds was transferred from Dundurn Castle, to the RBG, because financial constraints.  The City of Hamilton agreed to lease the land for $1.00, but would have to pay the operating costs of the aviary. In June of the same year, the Hotline for gardening problems was established.

Many individuals have questioned why the Royal Botanical Gardens has done so well especially in 1997, and the answer has generally been the same- the garden has been able to diversify and anticipate the changes in the future. However, the main six attributes that have aided in the 1997 success of the Royal Botanical Gardens have been its gardening information service, educational programs, gardening sites to visit, home demonstration gardens, the lending and reference library, and the annual plant sale. In fact, in 1996, the Royal Botanical Gardens raised $1,500,000 towards its annual budget. It has received continued support from the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Communications, the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton-Wentworth, and Halton, the RBG Auxiliary, private donations, and corporate funding.

In May of 1998, the Royal Botanical Gardens was finally recognized as a site of National Historical and Architectural significance.

The Royal Botanical Garden has gone through many changes since the rock garden was constructed in the late 1920's to beautify the north-east entrance to Hamilton. Today, the Rock Garden is described as the jewel of the Royal Botanical Garden's 2,700 acres of gardens and conservation areas. The RBG has also become well known for its vast collection of tulips, trees, plants, irises, shrubs, and other flowers. In fact, it has the largest collection of lilacs in the world with over 1,000 bushes in all. The Royal Botanical Garden is one of the most extensive botanical gardens in North America and is also considered to be one of the largest in the world, offering some of nature's best meadows, shallow lake, marsh, agricultural land, and gardens. It is dedicated to public service in the areas of horticulture, conservation, education, research, and scientific documentation of its rich, natural habitat. The Royal Botanical Garden has become not only a historical site of Hamilton-Wentworth, but is a cultural icon for the residents of Hamilton-Wentworth.

References:
Best, John. Thomas Baker McQuesten: Public Works, Politics and Imagination. Corinth Press: Hamilton, Ontario, 1991.
Royal Botanical Gardens Scrapbooks.  vol. 1-4.  Special Collections, HPL.
Royal Botanical Garden's Official Website
Michigan State University. Gardens Around the World: Royal Botanical Gardens Hamilton, Ontario. www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod70/70000269.html