- Event marked the third anniversary of the Niagara Parks Foundation and provided an update on the Foundation’s progress to date
- Guests were given an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming project for Niagara’s first Children’s Garden
- Program included ceremonial tree planting, walking tours of the proposed location, activities with students and complimentary tree sapling giveaway in honour of Earth Day
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – To celebrate its third anniversary and share highlights of its progress to date, the Niagara Parks Foundation, in collaboration with Niagara Parks, hosted an Earth Day Celebration Event at the Butterfly Conservatory and Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Since its public launch in April 2022, the Niagara Parks Foundation has focused on supporting and advancing environmental and cultural stewardship projects initiated by the Niagara Parks Commission to preserve the Niagara River corridor’s unique landscape and rich heritage for future generations. It has successfully raised over $1 million to support these critical efforts.
Donors, community partners and the public gathered at the Butterfly Conservatory to learn about the Foundation’s achievements and plans for future projects, including Niagara’s first Children’s Garden. The program included an opening address by Nokomis (Grandmother) Cindilee and remarks from both Niagara Parks Chair Bob Gale and Chair of the Niagara Parks Foundation, Debbie Whitehouse, as well as Julia Murray, Head of School from Royal Oak Community School in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Royal Oak Community School participated in one of the initial focus groups with local educators about the Children’s Garden project.
Foundation Chair Debbie Whitehouse provided an update on projects such as the Dufferin Islands Visitor Experience and Ecological Enhancement Initiative, the launch of an Indigenous Audio Tour at Niagara Glen and tree planting, including the Toonies for Trees program, which raised over $40,000 for tree planting and supported the planting of 7,351 trees across Niagara Parks in 2024.
Additionally, the Foundation is partnering with Niagara Parks to develop Niagara’s first Children’s Garden at the Botanical Gardens. The proposed two-acre outdoor garden aims to harness nature’s power to tell the stories of the land and bring the wonders of the Niagara River corridor to life for children of all ages and abilities. Focus groups and consultation sessions are currently underway to inform the detailed design plan and next steps. Initial timelines target construction to begin in the spring of 2026 with the opening planned for summer 2028.
As part of the event program, a ceremonial tree planting led by Nokomis (Grandmother) Cindilee was held in the conservatory plaza space, followed by optional walking tours of the proposed location of the Children’s Garden. Students from Royal Oak Community School were in attendance and took part in a seed ball making workshop to be used for an upcoming restoration project supported by the Niagara Parks Foundation. In honour of Earth Day, guests took home complimentary tree saplings to plant in their own communities.
Media assets are available here.
Quotes
“Nature-based play and learning can be connected to so many essential components of childhood development, from promoting physical and mental health and wellness to supporting teamwork and problem-solving skills. By inspiring children to love nature today, we will empower them to protect our planet well into the future.” – Debbie Whitehouse, Chair, Niagara Parks Foundation
“On behalf of the Niagara Parks Commission, we are proud to collaborate with the Niagara Parks Foundation on this important initiative to build Niagara’s first Children’s Garden, a place for children of all ages and abilities to freely explore, wander, play and connect to nature.” – Bob Gale, Chair, Niagara Parks
“Ontario is the most beautiful province in the most beautiful country in the world, and that beauty extends across the whole of the Niagara region. As we celebrate Earth Day, I would like to thank Niagara Parks and the Niagara Parks Foundation for doing their part to protect the region’s rugged, natural beauty along the Niagara River corridor, and for encouraging kids of all ages to be compassionate stewards of their communities.” – Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
About the Niagara Parks Foundation
The Niagara Parks Foundation is a board-governed, registered charity that supports Niagara Parks in its stewardship work through funding projects, research and public education. As a self-supported agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Niagara Parks relies exclusively on its own revenue streams to operate and maintain its extraordinary 56-kilometre ribbon of parkland. The Niagara Parks Foundation offers the public and corporations unique opportunities to actively contribute and support one of the world’s most beloved public spaces.
About Niagara Parks
Since its establishment in 1885, Niagara Parks has remained a self-financed agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, entrusted to preserve and protect the land surrounding Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. Today, Niagara Parks boasts gardens, a horticulture school, recreation, golf courses, restaurants, heritage and historic sites, gift shops and, of course, Niagara Falls. In short, natural landscapes, history, family fun, hiking, culinary delights, attractions and adventure.
For more information, please visit niagaraparks.com
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