The Gage Park Greenhouse was completed in early 2019, representing an exciting addition to the heritage landscape of Gage Park and revitalization of this cultural landmark. The greenhouse, located at the south end of the park in East Hamilton, is one of the largest facilities of its kind in Ontario and supports the City’s substantial collection of subtropical plants, rare species, and soaring palm trees. Admission to the greenhouse is free.

The new 14,000 square-foot, fully accessible structure is a creative combination of pre-engineered envelope components and glulam wooden beams, a structural design that pays homage to the origins of teak greenhouses popular in the 19th century.

Inside the greenhouse plants have 46 feet to grow, triple the height of the old space. The collection includes queen palms, wine palms and traveller palms, bananas, ferns, bamboo and jasmine. In the citrus grove figs, tangerines, mangoes, pineapples, passion fruit, coffee and sugar cane are grouped together. The greenhouse will not only be home to plants, visitors will also find a turtle pond, fish pond, waterfall, diamond doves and button-quail. The bird colony acting as insect patrol in the facility.

The greenhouse is designed as a community gathering place, providing opportunities to use the greenhouse as an educational center and as a rentable space for special events. A waterfall at one end of the greenhouse feeds two ponds where red-eared slider turtles, fish and water lilies reside. A circular path guides visitors around the greenhouse, and a bank of tiered concrete provides seating and an overview of the collection.

The exterior of the building incorporates the park’s two-level amphitheater, dovetailing perfectly with the larger Gage Park master plan. The exterior amphitheater berms can be used for lounging and become an alternate venue in the park for festivals such as Festival of Friends and It’s Your Festival.