Many of the Kootenay Rockies’ gardens and parks showcase the region’s history: Cominco Gardens in Kimberley was created in 1927 to spotlight the local mine’s fertilizer; the Nikkei Memorial Centre Gardens (north of New Denver) commemorates the Japanese-Canadians interned during World War II; and Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park in Castlegar highlights the region’s various settlers.
Visit Lakeside Park for the quintessential Nelson experience and the Columbia Valley Botanical Gardens in Invermere to learn about plant conservation.
Both Castlegar and Trail are designated “Communities in Bloom” by the nationally recognized program that celebrates green space within an urban environment.
Japanese Memorial Gardens
Situated on the Arrow Lakes, Nakusp’s Waterfront Japanese Garden is a peaceful outdoor retreat. A tribute to the Japanese-Canadians interned during WWII, visitors can stroll by native plants such as hazelnut, pine and juniper, Japanese maples and diverse flowers; sit by the pond and watch the colourful koi fish; and overlook the Arrow Lakes from a sheltered gazebo. The Nikkei Memorial Centre Gardens, just north of New Denver, commemorates the more than 20,000 Japanese-Canadians who were removed to internment camps during WWII. Designed by a master gardener and former internee, the gardens are located near original internment shacks and a hand-carved Buddhist shrine. The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre is the only interpretive centre of its kind in Canada.
Heritage Parks & Communities in Bloom
Experience history and nature at Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park in Castlegar. Cross a 144-m/473-ft suspension bridge to the island and see a heritage house built in the style of a Russian Orthodox Chapel, stroll along trails through 8ha/19ac of woodland and visit the unique “stump woman” sculpture carved by Alexander Zuckerberg himself. Other parks in Castlegar are a testament to why the city was designated a “Community in Bloom.”
Trail is also recognized as one of Canada’s “Communities in Bloom”. A peace rose garden - the city’s official flower - is found at Gyro Park. More than 60 colourful flower baskets hang throughout downtown, and hundreds of vibrant annuals and perennials fill the gardens each year.
Lakeside Park in Nelson offers a multitude of outdoor activities. Relax on the beach, let kids go wild at the playground or enjoy the local art sculptures. See the park’s gardens that bloom with magnificent annuals and tour the greenhouse, which supplies the historic downtown core and other parks with bedding plants and flowers each year. Ride the antique Streetcar #23 for a relaxing, historical tour of Nelson.
Formal Gardens & Nature Parks
Enjoy the beauty of Cominco Gardens in Kimberley. Across 1.2ha/3ac of land more than 48,000 flowers bloom annually. Created in 1927 to showcase the Cominco Mine’s fertilizer, today they combine both formal and informal beds and are known for their large collection of roses and dahlias. The Marysville Falls & Eco Park in Kimberley displays the natural beauty of this region. Wander along the wooden walkway through thick forest to see a 30-m/100-ft waterfall. Picnic in Eco Park and see a sculpture of a westslope cutthroat trout, which celebrates of the return of this native species to Mark Creek.
Botanical Gardens
The Columbia Valley Botanical Gardens are located in the spectacular Rocky Mountain Trench in Invermere. Learn about plant conservation and sustainability while touring the vegetable garden, dry plant beds and perennials and annuals. Interested in heirloom plants? The gardens are focused on conserving these rare plant varieties.