Arboretum and Gardens

The Parksville Community Park arboretum and gardens is one of the many treasures which make Parkville Community Park a unique and beautiful place to visit. Its primary mission is to promote an understanding and appreciation of trees and nature by providing well-documented plant collections arranged aesthetically and ecologically in an exhibition designed for professional and public study and quiet enjoyment.

Planting in the arboretum began in 1994 and continues, providing residents and visitors educational opportunities by demonstrating the benefits and beauty of trees in our growing urban landscape. The City’s parks and arborist staff chose uncommon trees to our local ecosystem, providing a wide variety of different species and ages in the arboretum, both native and exotic.

In 2019, the Parksville Community Park Arboretum and Gardens was awarded a Level 1 Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. Our arboretum is also recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.

The Parksville Community Park Arboretum and Gardens is the only accredited arboretum in Canada outside the southern Ontario area. This is a wonderful accomplishment achieved by all involved with the curating, planning and caretaking and of this local treasure which will continue to enrich the lives of residents and visitors for many years to come.

Arboretum Map
Arboretum Plantings