The garden will now provide enjoyment for all Mission residents and in particular the residents who live near the museum in the high density downtown area. It will also strengthen the Museum's role as an anchor for the downtown business area, which is currently undergoing revitalization.

Before: East side of Museum, April 2011

After: East side of Museum, August 2011

Before: East side of Museum looking south, August 2011

After: East side of Museum looking south, August 2011

Before: West side of Museum, April 2011

After: West side of Museum, July 2011

Dennis Poirier and Scotty Scodellaro, July 2011

Heidi Smith, August 2011

Anenome Honorine Joubert, August 2011

How the garden got started:
On the April 28, 2011 the MDHS Board of Directors established a Museum Garden Committee to manage the project, and appointed Heidi Smith as Chair. The museum was built in 1907 (Edwardian times). It served as a bank until its relocation to the current site in 1947 where it was a library and then a museum in 1972. The professionally designed garden includes curved paths, an area for children's activities, and incorporates woody plants, perennials, climbing plants, small trees, and ferns in keeping with the Edwardian theme. The color theme is green and white. The garden comprises approximately 1730 square feet.

Garden Plan, north east section; click here to view the full garden plan.
Landscape Plan by Peggy Jessome, Idea Garden Designs

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Volunteers:
Heidi Smith, Scotty Scodellaro, Val Billesberger, Hazel Godley, Bev and Ian James, Howard Noa, Lew Foster, Dennis Poirier, Phil St. Jean, Bronwyn Sutherland, Edna Ashcroft, Peggy Jessome, Barb Locke, Dustin Legacy, James Gascoyne, Margaret Clifton, Patrick Hamilton, "Daniel," "Hong," and Jenn Murray (website).

Donors: (in-kind and cash)
Ann Senae, Barb Locke, Betty Johnstone, Bev James, Canadian Tire, Communities in Bloom, Cloverdale Paint, District of Mission Parks, Recreation and Culture, Donna Rash, Downtown Business Association, Ferncliff Gardens, Global Landscape Supplies, Heidi Smith, Helen Pierce, Idea Garden Designs (Peggy Jessome), Jenn Murray, Martin and Cindy Kelly Family, Mike and Jill Holgate Family, Mission Community Archives' Volunteers, Mission Community Foundation, Mission Garden Club, Reel on the River, Sharon Fletcher, Shelley Clarkson, Sheryl McKamey, Stacey Crawford, Val and Keith Billesberger, and Valerie Hundert.

Supporters:
Mayor and Council, Kerry Bysouth and Parks and Recreation crew, Jill Holgate and Mission District Historical Society, Bert Pulles and Communities in Bloom.