That garden is inspired by the fact that the Summer Olympics are held in France and features “symmetrical designs and geometric shapes.” Pictured: Royal Botanical Gardens Exhibit.
In honour of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games currently taking place in Paris, France, Hamilton-Burlington’s Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is presenting unique floral displays celebrating the event.
The displays will be up until Sept. 2, 2024, and involve multiple gardens including Hendrie Park, the Rock Garden, and the Laking Garden.
Visitors will have to pay general admission in order to get into the gardens, although access is free for RBG members.
The RBG website states that the displays “celebrate the spirit of sports and the values of athleticism through innovative and creative garden designs.”
The theme of the first garden, located at the RBG Centre and Hendrie Park at 680 Plains Road West in Burlington, is “A Day in the Life of an Athlete.”
In front of the main entrance to the RBG Centre is the Hierarchy of Nature installation that explores “the link between athletes and nature.”
“Athletes seek bronze, silver, and gold; our horticulturalists pursue excellence through integrity, strength, and creativity,” states the RBG.
Stepping into the RBG Centre, visitors will then see The French Garden in the Hinton Court.
That garden is inspired by the fact that the Summer Olympics are held in France and features “symmetrical designs and geometric shapes.”
Beyond that, within Hendrie Park is the Biomechanics of Movement installation in Oak Allee, which “delves into the mechanics of athletes’ strength and agility.”
The final display at the Hendrie Park Garden is located within the RBG’s Veggie Village and is called “Eat Like an Athlete.”
The “Eat Like an Athlete” display has “smoothie-themed beds.”
The next garden with displays is the Rock Garden at 1185 York Boulevard in Hamilton, which follows the theme of “Diversity and Dedication to the Sport.”
The first display at the Rock Garden is the Rapids of Dedication, followed by the Podium of Achievement.
“Chosen colours reflect the unwavering dedication and commitment required to achieve one’s goals while proudly representing their country,” says the RBG.
The final display at the Rock Garden is the Rings of Unity inspired by the Olympic rings.
The last garden involved is the RBG’s Laking Garden at 1221 Spring Gardens Road in Burlington.
It should be noted that access to this garden is exclusive to RBG members only between July 1, 2024 and Aug. 30, 2024.
The theme of the Laking Garden is “The Spirit of the Sport” and the display focuses on mindfulness.
A description of the display states, “Mindfulness is the mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present and bodily sensations.”
“Through this emphasis on presence, focus, and connection with one’s body and surroundings, mindfulness embodies the spirit of sport.”
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