In August 1999 a group of interested citizens from East Gwillimbury met to discuss what could be done to encourage interest in more green space within the township.  It was decided to plant a garden at the western entrance to Mount Albert - called the Millennium Garden.  The garden would be a lasting tribute to East Gwillimbury’s 150^th anniversary and to the beginning of a new millennium.

Support for the idea came from many sources.  The Town of East Gwillimbury donated the land.  Marina Dimitriadis designed the garden layout.  People volunteered their time to help build the garden.  Interested groups volunteered to maintain it.  Supplies and equipment were donated as well.

"The Garden design is spiritual in nature and special," said Nancy Murden, chairperson of the Millennium garden committee.  "It is a rising sun, a sunburst, because the sun will be with us today and each day for another 1,000 years."  The garden has 5 different gardens, one planted along each sunbeam.  

The first garden, the most westerly beam, is the annual garden.  It has been renamed the David Hill Memorial Garden in recognition of the support and guidance provided by him throughout the project.  "David wanted the garden to be a place of tranquility and peace," said Nancy.

View Artist's Drawing Enlarged

The second garden is the community garden.  "Members of the community are invited to provide plants to be included in this garden, " Nancy said.  "The mix of flowers should become quite interesting over time."

The third garden was planted and will be maintained by the Grade 1 students and teachers from Mount Albert Public School.   "A day of planting with the children created many special memories," said Nancy.

The next garden is a raised container garden designed for people with difficulty getting down on their knees and is wheelchair accessible.  The lower container is a fragrance garden; all of the plants have a wonderful scent.  The taller container is an example of xeriscaping, a Greek work meaning 'without water'.  "This garden is full of succulents surrounded by rocks and will not need watering," said Nancy.

The fifth garden is a perennial garden and was planted and will be maintained by the Mount Albert Horticultural society.

Throughout the garden are donated trees and rocks.  Benches, also donated, are nestled among the trees.  In the centre of the garden will be a sundial sculpture created by an art student, James Mitchenson.  A bridge built off Albert Street provides an entrance to the garden.  Ramps will be added to this bridge to make the garden wheelchair accessible.  Parks and Recreation staff will maintain the lawns and the Baha'i Faith group will take care of the gardens.

The Garden Committee feels that the garden is an excellent medium for fostering unity within East Gwillimbury and hope that it will be a starting point for future projects.

For more information contact Nancy Murden 905-476-4818