Lush, green memories of the Conservatory

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/03/2018 (2783 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Conservatory at Assiniboine Park with its lush vegetation is to close permanently in April.

For some of us, that’s the same as saying we’ll be losing a best friend.

It has served us well until now — it opened in 1914 and was rebuilt in 1968. I take comfort in hearing it will be replaced by a major, one-of-a-kind development in 2020, at a cost of about $75 million. Check the internet for some otherworldly sketches of the new structures.

The present director has called for written or photographic memories to be part of a commemorative exhibit at the weeklong farewell celebration at the Conservatory, which runs until April 2.

I’ve sent in a longer article I once wrote called “My Walk in the Park” which contained the following section about the Conservatory:

“Following a refreshing smorg-style lunch in the atrium of the Conservatory, I ended my tour by strolling along the walkway through the tropical trees and undergrowth housed there. Most satisfying for me was seeing the label on the kangaroo fern from Malaysia. I once brought home a rhizome (underground stem) from Barbados which has slowly matured into just such a fern. Now I can give it a name when my bedazzled friends ask about it — it is the centre of attraction in my living room.

“The Wishing Pond promoted yet another kind of internal peace to take away with me. There on a protrusion stood a tiny turtle, head stretched right out, unblinking, and assuming a totally catatonic pose. I stared a full five minutes to see whether it was real or artificial. As I was about to give up, it moved  — it was alive! Somehow this added to my feeling of well-being — as if Time had momentarily stood still, my blood pressure and heartbeat reined in.”

“You’re never too old to enjoy or to learn” was the guiding principle of our hosts, Creative Retirement of Manitoba, during the walk in the park that inspired that story. They proved to be right on both counts.

Our interest continues into the future when our Conservatory will morph into an even more intriguing development — Canada’s Diversity Gardens.

What features of other countries will this represent? Perhaps I‘ll strike some destinations off my Bucket List after paying the place a visit. I love greenery and 2020 is none too soon for me.

Anne Yanchyshyn is a community correspondent for St. Vital. Email her at acy@mymts.net