Image of Daylilies at Oshawa Valley Botanical gardens

Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens

The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens (O.V.B.G.) provide a unique garden exploration experience. The gardens offer a series of modern features linked to the nationally designated gardens of Parkwood, The R. S. McLaughlin Estate. Set among creek banks and old-growth trees, O.V.B.G. follows the natural terrain of the Oshawa Valley Creek system.

Explore our feature gardens

Peony Garden

The Peony Garden displays more than 300 varieties of peonies from various donors, including the original 100 peonies donated by the Canadian Peony Society. This collection is one of the largest modern collections of peonies in North America.

Plan your visit during the Peony blooms, beginning in late May until the last week of June. The City of Oshawa's Annual Peony Festival corresponds with the height of the bloom cycle in June.

Daylily Collection

Oshawa's Daylily Collection features a one of a kind showing of locally hybridized daylilies donated by the founders of We're in the Hayfield Now. Located on the east side of Oshawa Creek, across from the Peony Garden, it is accessible by the Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path.

Daylilies are a perennial plant of the genus Hemerocallis variety, which translates to beauty for a day. Each blossom has one day to reach perfection, but since stems have several flower buds, a mature daylily will bloom for several weeks every July. Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers, the Oshawa Garden Club and Brooklin-Whitby Garden Club.

Memory Garden

The Memory Garden extends the season of the O.V.B.G. into fall with a variety of seasonal plants, scenic walkways and seating areas that lead to a pergola donated by the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa, perfect for quiet contemplation or as a focal point for photographs or formal wedding ceremonies.

Residents have honoured and remembered loved ones at the Memory Garden through the City's Tree and Bench Program. Note: benches are no longer available at O.V.B.G.

Take a virtual tour of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens.

Weddings and Photography

Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens

The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens are a perfect backdrop for wedding ceremonies or photography. The scenery is second to none, with stunning gardens, architectural and serene water features, and winding pathways.

The shade structure in the Memory Garden offers an official formal gathering space for small weddings.

Groups looking to conduct a wedding or take formal photos on special occasions need a permit. A permit holder:

Is granted approval to conduct this activity within the park
Is not granted exclusive rights to a specific area within the park
Must co-exist with other permit holders in the same area
Cannot restrict public access
Must encourage guests to wait until a wedding ceremony is finished to take photos in the Memory Garden

Lakeview Park

Nestled along the shore of Lake Ontario, Lakeview Park is a beautiful community park with mature landscaping. Linked to the recreational trails, Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path and the Waterfront Trail, visitors can connect to:

Bookings

To inquire about booking your wedding and/or photographs, submit an application or contact the Facility Booking Office.

Please note:

A permit for/including photos is not restricted to one area of the park. Groups must work together so all permit holders have an opportunity to take photos in several areas of the park.
During the permitted photo time there may be wedding ceremonies taking place in other areas of the park. As a result, areas of the park may be unavailable for photographs until the wedding ceremony is finished.
If you wish to rent chairs from an outside company for your ceremony, the chair information must be submitted to the Facility Booking Office as part of the application process. A photo of the chair along with the company information must be submitted by way of email.
If your guests would like to bring their own chairs they can only be lawn chairs or camping chairs.
The permit holder must follow any closures the City of Oshawa deems necessary.
No person may park, drive, or operate a vehicle in any park except in those areas designated for that use, which include public parking areas, driveways, and roadways.
The permit holder handles all set-up and take-down unless otherwise pre-arranged with the Facility Booking Office, including the removal of litter and the restoration of the wedding site.
Set-up and take-down must be included in the permitted time.
All decorations must be approved by City of Oshawa staff before the rental date.
Smoking and the illegal consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in all City-owned and operated facilities.
There are no public washrooms available at Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens.
The Jubilee Pavilion hosts wedding ceremonies and receptions at Lakeview Park.
The Jubilee Pavilion has sole concession rights at Lakeview Park. No outside catering/corporate food services are permitted.

Wedding and Photography Fees

Wedding and Photography Fees
Description	Rate (plus H.S.T.)
Photos in all City parks	$65/hour
Wedding ceremonies (includes photography)	$131/hour
Hydro at Lakeview Park	$36 (flat rate)

Links and Resources

Please note: The inclusion of a website in this section is strictly for informational purposes and is not an endorsement by the City of Oshawa or the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens (O.V.B.G.).