St. Albert Botanical Park - a gem in the heart of the city

The St. Albert Botanic Park is not widely known, at least not within the circles I travel.  No one I spoke to had heard of it and this is a shame for it is a little gem of a park adjacent to the river that is lovingly cared for by a team of volunteers and two summer employees.   Covering five acres, the garden groundbreaking took place in 1993.

This park is the realization of a dream of two St. Albert residents, "former mayor Richard Plain and retired city landscape planner John Beedle "to create a garden in an area with a zone 3 plant hardiness rating where the results of growing various trees, shrubs, perennials, and vegetables could be carried out and released to the general public."

A non-profit group, A Society of Friends of St Albert Public Gardens, was incorporated in 1990 and oversees the development and care of the park.   

Following are some photos taken early this fall of this little known horticultural gem.

I am loving the grasses!!

This dry-stacked wall is made of recycled concrete pieces.

This woodland area is fenced in on one side by a dry-stacked wall which reminds me of UK gardens.

Sedum was putting on a fine show.

Each bed is marked with a sign like the one above, with individual plants marked with small green plant tags inserted in the ground.

The river valley, aspens and evergreens are a nice backdrop to the botanical garden.  Walking paths are well maintained and delineate the back perimeter.

Replica birdhouse of the Atkinson family’s home which once stood where the birdhouse now is.

"Life Starts All Over When it Gets Crisp in the Fall" F. Scott Fitzgerald

The day's outing began with a trip to the farmer's market in St. Albert.  As we enjoyed the performance of Martin Kerr, an outstanding musician who competed on Canadian Idol, we noticed a young girl playing in the leaves.  She was highly entertaining and we, of course, had to photograph this mound of leaves with which she buried herself.

Maples are arguably the best trees for fall colour.  The few which line the street behind participant's tents shouted for attention and appreciation, dressed in their fall finery.

On our way back from market to our parking place we crossed Red Willow Park wherein this fantastic pedestrian bridge stretches across a body of water.

Above and below, a train bridge reflects in the water over which it passes.  It's a perfect day to spend outdoors photographing the sites.  Some trees, like the ashes, are almost completely defoliated while others are just beginning to turn colour.

In a rose garden, which serves as a memoriam for previous residents and gardeners of the area, is a stunning iron gazebo.  I love gazebos and all things of wrought iron, thus this beauty became the focus of several photographs.

The rose hips are enormous, ripe for harvest.

This is apparently a favourite tree for two young children to play in and "cast spells" (according to the young girl).  She is the self-proclaimed protector of this particular tree.

Along the walk on a hill beyond the rose garden is this railing with a built-in bench so one might sit and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

As we ascended the hill towards the street and Kim's parked vehicle, the dazzling red berries of a mountain ash begged to be appreciated.

Our day's wanderings conjured up a thirst which we fed at a local cafe decorated in parisian photos and accents of fall. The following quote, which I used in the title for this post, was on the chalkboard menu and it suited the day to a "T."

I am joining Weekend Reflections, Shadow Shot Sunday

 and Sunday Bridges today.