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Friends of Reader Rock Garden Society

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The Garden

The Garden
Garden Concept & Statistics

Garden Concept & Statistics
Plant Collection

Plant Collection

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Open from sunrise to sunset

Welcome 2026!

February 26, 2026
Blog Events News

Registrations Are Now Open!

February 4, 2026
Blog Events News

Best Wishes from FoRRGS! See you in 2026

December 14, 2025
Blog News

About Us

1

Friends of Reader Rock Garden Society ("FoRRGS") is a non-profit, volunteer advisory group that works in conjunction with the City of Calgary to uphold the integrity and beauty of this Legacy Park/Garden and National Historic Site.

One man’s vision

In 1913, William Reader had a vision which transformed the city landscape into a garden oasis. By 1943, over 4500 plant varieties had been lovingly cultivated in the three acres of land adjacent to Union Cemetary.

Today, the rehabilitation and progress of the Reader Rock Garden continues as we strive to maintain Reader’s vision.

Learn more.

 

 

readerrockgarden

📍 Canada’s First Green Flag Award Winner 🏆
📍 First Legacy Park in Canada
📍 Canadian National Historic Site
Get ready, Calgary gardeners! 🌱 Seedy Saturday is Get ready, Calgary gardeners! 🌱 Seedy Saturday is coming to Bowness on March 21, 2026. Save the date: Saturday, March 21, 2026 Time: 10am to 3pm Location: Bowness Community Association (7904 43 Ave NW) This is a free, drop in event. Come explore the world of seeds and kick off your growing season! We are thrilled to share that the Friends of Reader Rock Garden (FoRRGS) will be there with seeds from the historic Reader Rock Garden. Be sure to stop by our table and say hello! Calgary Seedy Saturday is all about keeping the skill of growing from seed to seed alive. As large commercial seed companies consolidate, we risk losing regionally adapted plant collections perfect for our unique prairie climate. This event is part of the worldwide Seedy Saturday movement celebrating open pollinated seeds. A helpful tip: bring cash! l For more details, visit: calgaryseedysaturday.ca We can’t wait to see you there! 🌻
🌸 Happy 20th Anniversary to the Grand Re-Opening o 🌸 Happy 20th Anniversary to the Grand Re-Opening of Reader Rock Garden! 🌸 It has been 20 years since that memorable day on May 29, 2006. Following major renovations and restorations, the Garden was once again opened to the public in a beautiful ribbon cutting ceremony. We remember the occasion being graced by the presence of Mr. Reader’s relatives, who traveled to share their personalized recollections and reflections of the Garden, adding a deeply personal touch to the historical milestone. They were joined by former Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier and the late Bill Peacock to officially mark the occasion. For those who were there, the pride was palpable. Unmistakable smiles beamed from everyone in attendance. It was a true celebration of a beloved Calgary gem. In the two decades since, the Garden has continued to mature and thrive. This legacy was further cemented just last year when it received the prestigious international Green Flag Award, the first in Canada to do so. It is a fitting confirmation of the Garden’s rightful place as a unique Cultural Landscape and a National Historic Site. As we look ahead to 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, we hope it brings dynamic, positive, and adventurous energy. In times of global uncertainty, it is more important than ever to focus on “the good” that brings us together. Celebrating milestones like this is a promising start. Swipe through to see moments from that historic day in 2006! 📸 #ReaderRockGarden #YYC #CalgaryHistory #Anniversary #GreenFlagAward NationalHistoricSite CulturalLandscape CalgaryParks GardenHistory 2006Reopening
Registrations Are Now Open! Registrations Are Now Open!
The Best of the Season ... Merry Christmas, Happy The Best of the Season ... Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or however you celebrate, may it be peaceful & joyous. See you in 2026!!
Do you have winter photos or videos of the garden? Do you have winter photos or videos of the garden? We’d love to feature your images! Send us a DM or invite us to collaborate, and we’ll happily showcase your wedding, winter family fun, or winter foliage photos or reels.
🌿 Welcome to Reader Rock Garden YYC 🌿 As one of A 🌿 Welcome to Reader Rock Garden YYC 🌿 As one of Alberta’s designated Provincial Historic Sites, this garden is a living treasure — home to rare plants, rich history, and the wildlife that calls it home. Help us protect its beauty by following a few simple guidelines during your visit: 🌱 Respect the Plant Collection Please don’t pick flowers, collect seeds, or remove any plants. 👣 Stay on Trails Stick to designated paths and grassy areas to help preserve delicate plant life. ⛰️ Watch Your Step Trails can be sloped and uneven — wear appropriate footwear and take your time. 👥 Small Groups Only Groups must be no larger than 15 people due to the narrow, historic pathways. 🦊 Keep Wildlife Wild Admire animals from a distance — do not feed or disturb them. 🐕🚫 No Dogs Allowed To protect the garden’s sensitive environment, dogs are not permitted. 🤝 Share the Space Kindly Be considerate of other visitors enjoying the tranquility of the garden. By following these guidelines, you help preserve Reader Rock Garden’s unique plant collection and historical charm for generations to come. 🌸💚 Thank you for caring for this special place!
Imagine a garden with 4,500 different plants! 🤯 Th Imagine a garden with 4,500 different plants! 🤯 That was the scale of William Reader’s passion project. In an era before computers, he meticulously kept lists and a “week-by-week” guide, ensuring something was always in bloom from early April to late October. He was a true plantsman, hiking the Rockies to collect native species like the Western Wood Lily and even sending seeds to royalty in England! Today, you can still see survivors from his original plantings—look for the nearly forty large plant tags on your visit. Have you spotted any of these heritage plants? Tell us in the comments! 👇 #LivingHistory #PlantCollection #RockyMountainFlora #CalgaryParks #ReaderRockGarden
Dreaming of summer 🪻 Dreaming of summer 🪻
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