Halifax Public Gardens Opens for the Season on May 6

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Friday, May 1, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – Good things come to those who wait! After a rough winter and record amounts of snow, the Halifax Regional Municipality is pleased to announce that the Public Gardens will open its gates for the 2015 season on Wednesday, May 6.

Lingering snow and ice delayed this year’s opening by about a month. But with temperatures starting to return to more seasonal norms, the last of the snow is disappearing and gardening staff have been hard at work preparing the grounds for visitors.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the Public Gardens, the main gate is located at the corner of Spring Garden Road and South Park Street in Halifax. Other public gates are located at each of the three other corners of the Gardens: at South Park and Sackville streets; Sackville and Summer streets; and Summer Street and Spring Garden Road. Daily hours of operation will be posted on the Public Gardens webpage at http://www.halifax.ca/publicgardens/.

Horticulture Hall, located near the bandstand in the centre of the grounds, showcases historical and botanical information about the Gardens. Residents are encouraged to stroll through the park, widely known as one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian gardens in North America. The Halifax Public Gardens was established in 1874 through the amalgamation of two older gardens, the Nova Scotia Horticultural Society Garden, laid out in 1837, and an adjacent public park that had opened in 1866. The existing Public Gardens was recognized as a National Historic Site in 1984.

The Gardens is wheelchair accessible, and has a limited supply of wheelchairs available for public use by visiting Horticultural Hall. Snacks are also available for sale inside and washroom facilities are adjacent to the Hall.

In an effort to preserve the Gardens for future generations, visitors are asked to respect the rules prohibiting pets, bicycles and jogging in the park. Visitors should also refrain from feeding the waterfowl, as it makes them dependent on an unnatural food supply and may interfere with their natural migratory patterns in the fall and spring.

Once again the Public Gardens has an exciting season planned, with lots of fun, free events and activities for all ages. For more information on the Public Gardens and upcoming events, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/publicgardens/.

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