CHILLIWACK'S HERITAGE PARK
on FAIRFIELD ISLAND
Gwynne Vaughan Park and its gracious 1896 Heritage House was gifted to the City of Chilliwack by avid gardener, Gwynne Vaughan.
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The park features 6.8 acres of gardens featuring speciman trees, shrubs, an extensive formal perennial garden, sprawling lawns, a large field and a heritage orchard.
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Dozens of locals enjoy the peaceful beauty of the park every single day.
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The 30 community garden plots are allocated to local gardeners annually.
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A PLACE to
CELEBRATE
Weddings - Picnics - Parties
The Rotary Pavilion is a popular venue for weddings, picnics, family, club and community gatherings - and there are many other spots in the park - like the Heritage Orchard, the large field, or the Formal Gardens.
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There are picnic tables at the Pavilon. Power, water and washrooms are available for booked events.
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There is no set fee for picnics or parties - payment is by donation. Please check availability by clicking on our Calendar.
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Individuals and small groups are welcome to visit any time!
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Be Part of the Fun!
Our Annual Plant Sale and Garden Party is the major fundraiser for the park, and it's a great day out for the whole family. Parking is available in the adjacent field, as well as Strathcona School with the Rotary Train providing a shuttle service. There is also ample parking in the streets around the Park.
Vendors
We still have a few booths available for 2023. If you are interested please click on the link below and fill out the application form. Our goal is to have as many outdoor-sy, garden and plant related vendors as possible. All vendors are juried by our Plant Sale Committee.
Food
This year we're providing more variety and different types of sweet and savoury treats for our guests. We have limited spots available, so if you are interested in joining us as a food vendor/food truck, fill out the form below.
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Musicians
What a great opportunity to get your music heard! We are seeking smaller local groups, duos or soloists. Send us some examples of your music, and information regarding number of members, instruments etc. (We do pay our musicians)
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Adelaide Gwynne Vaughan
1907-1993
Adelaide Gwynne Vaughan was born to Welsh parents and lived almost all of her life in the house that the Gwynne Vaughan Park Society preserves today.
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"Gwynnie" was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable gardener and most of the heritage and specimen trees were either planted by her, or under her direction. As an active member of the Chilliwack Horticultural Society (now the Chilliwack Garden Club) she established an award for the best Narcissus in its annual Spring Show, and it is still awarded in her name.
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She enjoyed a good game of bridge and was an expert badminton player.
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After marrying in the early 50's, she and husband Sam Bateman lived in Saskatchewan for a few years before returning to Chilliwack where they lived in her old home, enjoying their garden and a wide range of friends
2023 Board
PRESIDENT Don Forbes
VICE PRESIDENT Jo Hirschman
TREASURER Beth Gillespie
SECRETARY Debora Soutar
GROUNDS Jack Allen
ARBOURIST Dale Seguin
COMMUNITY GARDENS Lisa Ballam
COMMUNICATIONS Lynne Goodwin
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Committees
MEMBERSHIP Gordon Gillespie
RESERVATIONS Beth Gillespie / Lynne Goodwin
HOUSE & BUILDINGS Jack Allen / Don Forbes / Lisa Ballam
PLANT SALE Beth Gillespie / Jack Allen / Lynne Goodwin / Debora Soutar
Friends OF The Park
March - October
Tueday mornings 9am-11am
(followed by coffee)
Our Park looks as good as it does because of the work and commitment of a group of enthusiastic gardeners who gather weekly to weed, trim, prune and plant.
Friends of the Park was formed in 2003 by Ken Wilson (former chief horticulturalist for Parks Canada in Ottawa), when it became clear that the Spring and Fall work days could not meet the maintenance requirements of the Park.
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“Friends” meets every Tuesday morning from 9:00 – 11:00, March to October, followed by coffee and socialising. Turnout varies every week, with anywhere from 8 to 20 gardeners.
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To join this friendly group of keen gardeners, just show up at the Park any Tuesday morning! For more information email us by clicking the button.
"You can never have too many friends"
Become a Member
Gwynne Vaughan Park Society
Annual Membership $10
Lifetime Membership $100
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Make cheques payable to:
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or etransfer gwynnevaughanpark@gmail.com
Our gardens are lovingly and expertly curated and maintained by the Society's volunteers in close collaboration with the City of Chilliwack. No matter what the season, there is so much to see and experience at the Park.
We are extremely appreciative for the photography of David Gillespie, who has given us permission to use his incredible pictures on our site.
Heritage House
Part of our Society's mandate is to preserve and maintain the distinctive heritage house in the park. Over the years we have done a great deal of restoration inside and outside the house.
Photographer: David Gillespie
Our events
Perennial Favourites
Enjoy some of the beautiful perennial plants from our Park!
Photographer: David Gillespie
Our events
Shrubs and Trees