A hidden ‘secret garden’ in Aldergrove has been transformed by a local family
When Elisha Wang moved back to B.C. after a decade in Shanghai, she didn’t expect her next career move would take root in her family’s backyard.
But today, she’s worked alongside her parents to open up the Aldergrove Pond House, a new garden event space tucked away on nearly five acres with lush greenery, water features, and winding pathways.
Her family purchased the property two and a half years ago, looking for a home with more room for their lifelong passion: gardening.
“My mom’s parents ran a bonsai nursery when they retired, so she definitely inherited that green thumb,” Wang said. “At our old home in Coquitlam, we had completely run out of space for plants. This place was like a bigger canvas.”
That canvas is an impressive one.
Originally designed by a landscape architect, the property features a large pond, flowing creeks, mature trees, and a Japanese-inspired garden.
A previous owner had also transformed it into a peacock sanctuary – at one point housing dozens of the birds – before selling it to the Wangs.
Since moving in, the family has been uncovering hidden corners and forgotten features.
“We just found a fountain we had never seen before,” Wang said. “This week my dad pruned back some brambles to reveal an old door hidden.”
Opening the property to the public felt like a natural step.
Wang, who spent eight years working in venue management, said the idea came not just from her family but also from friends and visitors.
“Everyone who came here would say, ‘Why don’t you do weddings here? Why not community events?’ Even the previous owner mentioned he got asked that all the time,” she explained.
Now, the Aldergrove Pond House is welcoming the world.
So far, inquiries have ranged from weddings to marriage proposals, and the venue has already hosted its first event.
Wang listed the property on online platforms like Peerspace to test the market and was quickly met with enthusiastic interest.
The challenge, she said, has been building partnerships with local caterers, photographers, and rental companies so the venue can offer a full-service experience.
For now, the bookings are “dry hire,” meaning guests bring in their own vendors.
The space is both expansive and intimate.
Guests can wander along pathways shaded by willows, explore meadows and hidden gates, or sit beside the pond, now home to a flock of ducks introduced by the family.
“The ducks are my favourite part,” Wang said, laughing. “We’ve even had ducklings hatch here… One of them is called Hank the Tank.”
Rabbits named Rusty and Pickle also share the property, adding to its charm.
Maintaining the gardens, however, is no small task.
The property is almost five acres, and it’s just the Wang family looking after it.
“Weeding alone is constant work,” Wang said.
The family has also replanted vegetable gardens, added flower beds, and converted an old chicken coop into a bunny hutch.
Despite the labour, they find joy in the process.
“Every day we fix something or uncover something new.”
The garden is a living space that continues to evolve, Wang said.
Balancing family life with event hosting has required some boundaries.
The main house remains private, though a ground-floor suite with a bathroom and bedrooms can be offered for bridal parties.
To respect their neighbours, events are currently limited to daytime, with small gatherings sometimes allowed into the evening.
“We’re not a massive property like some in the Fraser Valley,” Wang said.
However, future plans include restoring a barn and meadow at the back of the property into a reception space farther from neighbours.
“We want to grow slowly and respectfully.”
Beyond weddings, Wang dreams of hosting community gatherings such as garden parties, small local fairs, and seasonal celebrations.
For now, the Aldergrove Pond House is just beginning to open its gates.
“We want it to be a place where the community can come together,” she said.
People can learn more information about the new garden venue at aldergrovepondhouse.ca.
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