Dear editor:
Park & Tilford Gardens is a special place for me.
Growing up within walking distance of the garden, I remember family visits. Childhood memories from the late ’70s and early ’80s were the smell of the distillery, the bird houses, the globe lanterns along the north perimeter and the bronze busts of prominent historical botanists in the colonnade.
As a young adult, I studied horticulture and trained at Park & Tilford Gardens as a student. Later in my career, I worked at the garden for five years as an apprentice.
The garden’s brilliant design by Justice and Webb Landscape Architects allowed me to explore a broad range of gardening styles. Horticulture students from Capilano University worked in the garden every day and this provided me with the opportunity to learn how to train emerging professionals.
The garden’s relationship with the local community and the Friends of the Garden taught me the value of community engagement.
I want to thank Todd Major for mentoring me through my apprenticeship at Park & Tilford Gardens. Todd was responsible for making sure that I was provided with opportunities to learn every facet of horticulture. He was dedicated to the garden and cared very much for the students, FOGs and local community. As director of Park & Tilford Gardens, Todd demonstrated a professional drive and commitment to high standards that I have sought to emulate in my career.
Park & Tilford Gardens has been a cornerstone of my life and provided me with the training that has been the foundation of my horticulture career. It is a gem for the City of North Vancouver that should be respected and cherished.
Bravo, Park & Tilford Gardens. Here’s to the next 50 years!
Egan Davis
Vancouver
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