TREEFEST 2015 – RIVERVIEW HOSPITAL
SITE, COQUITLAM, BC
The Silver Lindens are nearly a century old. A family
of elephants could shelter under the canopy of the tall Smooth-Leaf Elms. For 22 years, Treefest has celebrated these
and the hundreds of other remarkable trees as well as the historic buildings and
landscapes of Riverview.
Treefest will be held
on Saturday, September 19th from 11 am to 4 pm. It is hosted by
the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society in partnership with the City of
Coquitlam and the Burke Mountain Naturalists.
Treefest is a
celebration of environmental stewardship. The day will be filled with
family-oriented activities. The always popular arborist-led Tree Tours will be
held on the hour; plus a Children’s Walk. Well-known Vancouver heritage
consultant Donald Luxton will lead a tour of some of the Heritage Buildings
(exterior only). Blackberry Tea will be served in the Serenity Garden by
Maple Creek Streamkeeper volunteers. The SPARC antique radio museum will
be open for visitors, and the hosts of the History Bus Tours will offer insight
and stories on Riverview/Essondale history. Bus seating is very limited and can
be reserved with a $2 donation.
Since 1992 the
Riverview Horticultural Centre Society has increased public awareness of the
Riverview Lands in Coquitlam. The Society’s goal has been to have the
site preserved for its original purpose of supporting people with mental
illness and to protect the Riverview landscape and collection of trees for
horticultural education, retention of urban green space and public community
uses.
The future of
Riverview is uncertain. The public process conducted by BC Housing
continued this year. More information
should be available in September. Riverview
has historically been a sanctuary for the mentally ill. It is hoped that it can once again be a refuge
for people living with mental illness.
The Treefest site is outside the HenryEsson Young (“HEY”) Building, accessible from the Lougheed Highway at the
Colony Farm Road or Orchid Drive entrances. Banners and signs will mark
the way and maps of the Riverview grounds are available online at
rhcs.org.
For more info visit Coquitlam Treefest or call 604-927-3583 or 604-290-9910.
For more info visit Coquitlam Treefest or call 604-927-3583 or 604-290-9910.
Donna Crosby, RHCS
Phone 604-939-4064
Email donna@rhcs.org
Caresse Selk, City of Coquitlam
Phone 604-927-3583
Email cselk@coquitlam.ca
