The Garden of the Provinces and Territories is a four-acre site at the north end of Bronson Avenue with trees and shrubbery dotting the manicured lawn. Concrete terraces cover about one-fourth of the garden, where commemorative plaques, flags and fountains can be found.
The garden’s boundaries are outlined by major Ottawa streets and, as such, it’s very accessible to the public. Wellington Street curls around the north and west sides of the park, across the street from Library and Archives Canada. Bay Street runs along the east and the Sparks Street escarpment borders the south side. A row of trees on both sides of the escarpment mirror the collection of provincial and territorial flags on a concrete platform. The arrangement of the flags represents the chronological order in which the province or territory joined Confederation.
There are two major fountains in the park for visitors to enjoy as they sit on one of the park’s many benches. One of the fountains is made up of concrete slabs in the shape of Canada’s Great Lakes. The other is in the form of a tree, representing Canada’s forests. During the Canadian Tulip Festival, tourists and city residents alike can enjoy the vibrant colours when the tulips bloom. This area becomes very popular during the festival.
It opened Sept. 25, 1962, as a scenic pathway to the Parliament Buildings. Formerly known as the Garden of the Provinces, it was renamed in 2005. Scott Brison, then minister of public works and government services, officially renamed the park in order to fully recognize Canada’s three territories.
The ceremony also celebrated the restoration of the garden’s key features, such as the large tree fountain. Major improvements to the stonework were completed, and ramps were also installed, increasing accessibility. These developments were the result of years of work for the public to once again enjoy the garden to its fullest.