Take a virtual walk through what's to become one of Canada's most stunning horticultural attractions, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Assiniboine Park Conservancy (APC) released a new virtual tour of The Leaf and new outdoor gardens that make up Canada's Diversity Gardens project currently under construction in the southeast corner of the Park.

The Canada's Diversity Gardens project represents the final major phase of the redevelopment plan for Assiniboine Park and Zoo that was launched a decade ago. The development includes The Leaf, an architecturally brilliant indoor horticultural attraction, and the diversity gardens, a series of new outdoor gardens that will offer distinct landscapes and experiences for park visitors. The indoor and outdoor spaces will be activated with a variety of educational and engaging experiences that explore the universal human connection with plants and nature across cultures and over time.

Construction of The Leaf got underway in summer 2017, with completion and opening of The Leaf anticipated in late 2020. This timeline is contingent on meeting two major seasonal milestones that must be completed in warm weather:
1) installation of the specialized roof in early fall 2019 (3 – 4 months)
2) planting of the biomes in summer 2020 (3 – 4 months)

Over the spring and summer, work will continue on the roof cable net system to prepare for installation of the specialized ETFE (ethylene-tetra-fluoro-ethylene) roof in early fall.

The outdoor diversity gardens that surround The Leaf are an important part of the overall vision for the project. They include the Indigenous Peoples' Garden, Kitchen Garden, Performance Garden, Sensory Garden, Seasonal Garden, and The Grove. Landscape work on the outdoor gardens, which got underway last year, will continue this spring and summer in preparation for initial planting later this fall and next spring. Opening of the outdoor diversity gardens will be influenced by the timing for completion of The Leaf.

For more information, please contact:

Gillian Chester, Communications & Travel Media Manager
Tourism Winnipeg
204.954.1977 or gillian@tourismwinnipeg.com