Skip to Content

City of Oshawa homepage City of Oshawa homepage

Back to Homepage

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact [email protected]

View Our Accessibility Plan

  • Careers
  • Live Chat
  • Apply & Register
    • Animal Licence
    • Apply for a Job
    • Bid Opportunity
    • Blue Box and Green Bin
    • Building Permits
    • Business Licence
    • Certification of Recognition
    • Development Application
    • Freedom of Information Request
    • Grant or Rebate
    • Parking Permit
  • Pay & Buy
    • Animal Licences
    • By-law Penalty
    • Donations
    • Parking Tickets
    • Property Taxes
    • Recreation Program
  • Get Involved
    • Attend or View a Meeting
    • Connect with Oshawa
    • Contact Council
    • Service Feedback
    • Speak at a meeting
    • Submit a Complaint
    • Volunteer
  • Report an Issue
    • City or Park Tree Maintenance
    • Faulty Parking Meter or Pay Machine
    • Lost Pet
    • Missed Garbage Collection
    • Parks or Trail Maintenance
    • Roadway or Sidewalk Maintenance
    • Streetlight Out
    • Service Oshawa Online
Contact Us
  • Commemorative Trees and Benches
  • Gardens
    • Gardens
    • Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens
    • Pollinator Garden and Meadow
  • Off-leash Dog Parks
  • Park and Gate Access Permits
  • Park Directory
  • Plants to Avoid
X

Image of Daylilies at Oshawa Valley Botanical gardens

Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens

Home...Parks, Trails and Open SpacesGardensOshawa Valley Botanical Gardens
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

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:

  • Oshawa's vibrant Downtown 
  • Oshawa Second Marsh
  • McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
  • Oshawa Museum

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
DescriptionRate (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.).

  • African Violet Society of Canada
  • Canada Blooms
  • Canadian Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society
  • Canadian Organic Growers Inc.
  • Canadian Peony Society
  • Compost Council of Canada
  • Durham Master Gardeners
  • International Lilac Society
  • North American Native Plant Society
  • Ontario Daylily Society
  • Oshawa Garden Club
  • Parkwood, The R.S. McLaughlin Estate
  • Royal Botanical Gardens
  • Toronto Botanical Garden
Parks, Recreation and Culture
  • Parks, Trails and Open Spaces
    • Commemorative Trees and Benches
    • Gardens
      • Gardens
      • Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens
      • Pollinator Garden and Meadow
    • Off-leash Dog Parks
    • Park and Gate Access Permits
    • Park Directory
    • Plants to Avoid
    • Parks Planning and Development
      • Park Design Standards
    • Splash Pads and Beaches
    • Sports Fields and Courts
    • Trails
    • Trees
  • View Full Parks, Recreation and Culture Menu
    • Parks, Recreation and Culture
    • Arts and Culture
      • Art and Exhibitions
        • Art and Exhibitions
        • Artist Calls
        • Arts and Culture in the Hall
        • TeachingCity
      • Arts Events and Classes
        • Arts Events and Classes
        • Creative Classes
        • Culture Days
        • Culture Map
        • Culture Summit
        • Doors Open
        • Event Calendar
        • Urban Art Festival
      • Culture Counts
        • Culture Counts
        • Arts, Culture and Heritage Plan
        • Cultural Leadership Council
        • Public Art Policy and Master Plan
        • Public Art Task Force
      • Funding and Support
        • Funding and Support
        • Arts, Culture and Heritage Award Program
        • Arts, Culture, and Heritage Funding
      • Public Art
        • Public Art
        • Urban Art Park
        • Public Artworks
      • Festivals and Events
    • Community Clubs, Groups and Organizations
    • Events Calendar
    • Festivals and Events
      • City Events
        • 100th Anniversary
          • Community Centennial Committee
        • Bright and Merry Market
        • Canada Day
        • Community Clean Up
        • Culture Days
        • Doors Open Oshawa
        • Events in the Park
        • June is Recreation and Parks Month
        • Kars on King
        • National Youth and Youth Art Week
        • Oshawa Celebrates
        • Peony Festival
        • Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony
        • Share Your Holiday Spirit
      • Events Calendar
      • Host an Event
      • Volunteering
    • History and Heritage
      • Doors Open Oshawa
      • Heritage Properties
        • Alterations and Demolition
        • Designated Properties
        • Heritage Property Tax Reduction
        • Plaque Program
      • History of Oshawa
      • Museums
      • Windfields Farm
    • Libraries
    • Recreation
      • activeOshawa Online Registration
      • Assistance and Support
        • Assistance and Support
        • Canadian Tire Jumpstart
        • Durham Region Social Services
        • Inclusion Services
        • Oshawa residents 65 years and older
        • Recreation Access Membership Program (RAMP)
        • Recreation Fee Assistance Program
        • Respect Check
        • Their Opportunity
      • Facilities and Rentals
        • Facilities and Rentals
        • Arena Rentals
        • Ball Diamond Rentals
        • Birthday Party Packages
        • Civic Fieldhouse Rentals
        • Civic Recreation Complex Fields Rentals
        • Court Rentals
        • Facility Updates
        • Meeting Room Rentals
        • Recreation Facility Status
        • Sport Field Rentals
        • Tracks Indoor and Outdoor
      • Memberships and Admissions
      • News and Updates
        • News and Updates
        • Recreation News
        • Reopening Recreation
      • Recreation Programs and Services
        • Recreation Programs and Services
        • activeOshawa Guide
          • activeOshawa Guide Advertising
        • Creative Classes
        • Hockey and Skating
          • Adult Hockey League
          • Leisure Skating
          • Outdoor Skating
        • Fitness Centres and Programs
          • Fitness Centre
          • Fitness Classes
          • Memberships and Admissions
          • Personal Training
          • Teen and Youth Fitness Programs
          • Tracks Indoor and Outdoor
        • March Break and Holiday Camps
        • Register for a Program
        • Sports
          • Drop-In Sports
          • Indoor Soccer League
          • Skateboarding
        • Summer Camps
          • Counsellor and Leader In Training Programs
          • Playground Program
        • Swimming
          • Lakeview Park Beach
          • Leisure Swimming
          • Lifeguarding and Swim Instruction
          • Splash Pads
          • Swimming Lessons
        • Youth Programs
          • Leisure Rooms
          • Teen and Youth Fitness Programs
          • Youth Council
      • Sponsorship and Advertising
    • Visiting Oshawa
      • Visiting Oshawa
      • Eat and Drink
      • Plan Your Stay
      • Things to Do
    • Volunteering
    • Waterfront
      • Waterfront
      • Group Picnics
      • Lakeview Park Beach

Contact Us

© 2022 City of Oshawa

Service Oshawa
1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

Phone: 905-436-3311
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Email: [email protected]

  • Resources

    • Accessibility
    • Contact Us
    • Freedom of Information
    • Land Acknowledgement
    • Privacy & Terms of Use
    • Sitemap
    • Website Feedback
  • Open new window to view our Facebook page
  • Open new window to view our Twitter page
  • Open new window to view our Instagram page
  • Open new window to view our Youtube page
  • Open new window to view our LinkedIn page

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.