A well-known attraction at UNBC’s Prince George Campus is getting some upgrades.
Today (Friday) the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society received 700-thousand dollars in funding from the province to kick off Phase 2 of its expansion project.
The society has been incorporated for 30 years and the land for the garden was donated by UNBC
“We are working closely with UNBC as a partner and we are very, very grateful to them for everything they have done. We have also been consulting with community groups like the Lheidli T’enneh and the Tourism PG. This is more than just a society project, this is a community project,” said Linda Naess, society president.
The expansion includes a visitor centre, parking lot, a walkway as well as the development of a 10-acre parcel to construct a trio of themed gardens.
Naess stated the garden has always been a popular spot – but especially so since the pandemic first hit two years ago.
“It’s kind of an iconic place for people to take their prom pictures, especially along the bridge at the end overlooking the city. During COVID, it’s been extremely well-used, people have had book club meetings there, we have seen people have Tai Chi and dance groups and we suspect with the expansion, it will be even more used.”
The Botanical Garden is one of 50 new tourism projects across BC considered shovel-ready.
Naess mentioned they have been planning the facelift for a while.
“We have been actively planning it on our project committee probably for the last five years. We have been meeting every month, sometimes twice a month and we consider ourselves to be shovel-ready and this will get us started in the spring.”
All told, the total cost of the project is 1.5 million dollars.
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