Canadian Heritage Garden, Rideau Hall

There are at least two Canadian Heritage Gardens in Canada. The one on the grounds of Rideau Hall occupies a prominent location to the southwest of the Hall.

This traditional rose garden commemorates the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of Confederation, its design inspired by the related themes of the migrations of people from around the world to Canada and the development of our governing institutions over more than three centuries.

Cette roseraie commémore le cent vingt-cinquième anniversaire de la Confédération, sa conception rappelle à venue au Canada de gens des quatre coins du monde et l'évolution de nos institutions gouvernementales depuis plus de trois siècles.

Addressing the Empire Club of Canada on June 23, 1999, the Right Honourable Raymon J. Hnatyshyn had this to say about the National Heritage Garden in development at the time:

"While we were at Rideau Hall, Gerda and I initiated "The Canadian Heritage Garden" to celebrate the first 125 years of Confederation. In working on the development of this wonderful heritage garden which evokes two themes-the evolution of Canadian nationhood and the contribution of peoples of diverse ancestry to our social fabric my wife and I were reminded of, and moved with renewed pride in, the enormous accomplishments of our country and its people. I should say that I am extremely proud of Gerda who single-handedly raised more than $2 million from private benefactors to provide this gift to the people of Canada. Gerda and I hope that you will all have the opportunity to visit the Canadian Heritage Garden at Rideau Hall — a testament to what we have done and what we can be."

Governor General Ramon John Hnatyshyn and Mrs. Gerda Hnatyshyn started developing the creation of the garden in 1992, the year of Canada's 125th anniversary. Mrs. Hnatyshyn founded The Canadian Heritage Garden Foundation, Fondation du jardin du patrimoine canadien to privately raise funds for the garden, incorporating the Foundation in 1995. Later on the board of directors of the Foundation requested its dissolution, which happened in 2006.

Prestige Design and Construction built the garden designed by Alvin David Regehr with landscaping designed and roses selected by Claire Laberge. The National Heritage Garden consists of eleven circular flowerbeds with more than two-hundred varieties of winter-hardy roses. Claire Laberge selected as many native Canadian varieties as possible as well as roses that illustrated the many immigrant contributions to Canadian society. Within the garden, roses and marble columns illustrate key milestones in Canadian History, while the roses also symbolize Canadian ancestral groups and historical events, and are a reflection of Canada's cultural diversity.

The National Garden of Canada officially opened on June 9, 2000. Former Governor General Ramon Hnatyshyn, his wife, Gerda, then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson attended along with landscape architect and project manager Alvin D. Regehr, horticulturalist Clair Laberge, members of the Board of Directors of The Canadian Heritage Garden Foundation and other dignitaries.

The Unity Pool

The garden peaks around mid June, the best time to visit it. When in Ottawa you should visit the garden, whether at the peak time or not. The photographs here provide no substitute for experiencing this truly Canadian wonder for yourself.

Swans Plaque

In the northeast of Green Island west of Union Street a plaque mounted on a large rock commemorates Queen Elizabeth II's gift of Swans to Ottawa.

28th June, 1967

These swans from the River Thames, near Abingdon Berkshire, the gift to the City of Ottawa of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II commemorate the Centennial of the Confederation of Canada.

Le 28 juin, 1967

Ces cygnes de la Tamise près d'Abingdon, Berkshire, sont un don à la Ville d'Ottawa de S.M. la reine Elizabeth II pour commémorer le centenaire de la Confédération du Canada.

RCMP National Memorial Cemetery

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police National Memorial Cemetery occupies a location about the south centre of Beechwood Cemetery.

"...WITHOUT FEAR FAVOUR OR AFFECTION..."
« ...SANS CRAINTE, FAVORATISME NI PARTI PRIS... »

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE
NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY

Cimetière commémoratif national
de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE
(RCMP)
NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY

The peaceful site is the final resting place for RCMP members, RCMP public servants and their families who faithfully served Canada. It was established in 2002 through the efforts of the Ottawa Division of the RCMP Veteran's Association in partnership with the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation. The RCMP joined the partnership in 2004. The memorial monument honours the dedication and loyal services of members of the Northwest Mounted Police, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police and the RCMP. The support and sacrifice of their families are not forgotten.

Dedicated on 17 October 2004

GENDARMERIE ROYALE DU CANADA
(GRC)
CIMETIÈRE COMMÉMORATIF NATIONAL

Ce lieu paisible est le dernier lieu de repos de ceux qui ont servi le Canada comme membres de la GRC, comme employés de la fonction publique à la GRC, ainsi que de leur famille, le cimetière a été établi en 2002 grâce aux efforts de la division d'Ottawa de l'Association des anciens de la GRC en partenariat avec la Fondation du cimetière Beechwood. La GRC s'est jointe au partenariat en 2004. Le monument commémoratif rend hommage à la mémoire et aus loyaux services des membres de la Police à cheval du nord-ouest, de la Royale gendarmerie à cheval du nord-ouest et de la GRC. Le soutien et les sacrifices des membres de leur famille ne sont pas oubliés.

Inauguré le 17 octobre 2004

RCMP  GRC

DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO SERVED CANADA
EN L'HONNEUR DE CEUX QUI ONT SERVI LE CANADA

South African Democracy Tree

A tree commemorating democracy in South Africa stands in Rideau Falls Park west of Sussex Drive between John Street and  Stanley Avenue.

This tree was planted on the occasion of the celebrations marking ten years of democracy in South Africa. May the roots of this tree be the anchor of the relations between South Africa and Canada.

High Commission for the Republic of South Africa
April 26, 2005

National Capital Commission

Cet arbre a été planté à l'occasion des festivités maquant dix années de démocratie en Afrique du Sud. Puissent les racines de cet arbre être le symbole de l'ancrage des relations entre l'Afrique du Sud et le Canada.

Haut-commissariat de la République de l'Afrique du Sud
Le 26 avril 2005

Commission de la capitale nationale

Sherman Tank, Beechwood Cemetery

A Sherman tank occupies a place in the southwest corner of the Field of Honour, part of the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces in Beechwood Cemetery.

MEDIUM TANK
M4A2E8 SHERMAN

During the second world war, the tank used most widely by Canadian and allied forces was the Sherman, designed jointly by American and Canadian development teams, nearly 50,000 Shermas were produced in Canada and the United States between 1942 and 1945. Shermans saw action during the Korean war and in the post-war training of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

M4 - hull model, welded construction
A2 - engine designation, twin General Motors diesels
HVSS - horizontal volute spring suspension
W - wet storage of ammunition
Weight (fully laden):
34.5 metric tonnes (34 tons)
Crew: 5 men
Armament: 1x76 mm gun
2x30 calibre machine guns
1x50 calibre machine gun
Maximum speed: 50 km/h (30 mph)
Cruising range: 150 km (100 miles)
Armour: 5-9 cm (2-3.5 in.)

This plaque commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, founded 13 August, 1940.

CHAR MOYEN
M4A2E8 SHERMAN

Le char le plus utilisé par les force canadiennes et alliées au cours de la deuxièm guerre mondiale fut le sherman. Conçu conjointement par des équipes de spécialistes canadiens et américains, environ 50,000 furent produits entre 1942 et 1945. Ce modèle a aussi servi pendant la guerre de Corée et à l'entraînement d'après-guerre des membres du Corps blindé royal du Canada.

M4 - parois soudées de la coque
A2 - bimoteur diesel de General Motors
HVSS - suspension horizontale
W - soute à munitions
Poids (charge entière): 34.5 tonnes métriques (34 tonnes)
Équipage: 5 hommes
Armament: 1xCanon de 76 mm
2xMitrailleuses de calibre 30
1xMitrailleuse de calibre 50
Vitesse maximale. 50 km/h (30 mi/h)
Autonomie: 150 km (100 milles)
Blindage: 5 à 9 cm (2 à 3,5 po)

Cette plaque commémore le 50^e anniversaire du Corps blindé royal du Canada, fondé le 13 août 1940.

Rockcliffe Park Track and Field Facility Redevelopment Plaque

In Rockcliffe Park Village, southeast of the corner of Springfield Road and Park Road a plaque mounted on a large rock acknowledges contributors to the redevelopment of the track and field facility just east of the plaque.

The Village of Rockcliffe Park Recreation Committee would like to thank the following supporters whose generosity made the redevelopment of this track and field facility possible.

2000 A.D.