The City of Kingston greenhouse used to hold annual open houses in late winter. File photo by Jessica Foley/Kingstonist, 2014.
The City of Kingston operates a greenhouse on Norman Rogers Drive, which used to open to the public each year in late winter.
Since the pandemic, this annual early taste of spring has been unavailable to Kingston and area residents, which made sense during the height of COVID-19 due to the small, enclosed space.
Kingstonist connected with the City to find out more about what is happening in the growing space now, and if there are any plans to reopen the greenhouse to visitors again in the future.
Writer Jessica Foley’s daughters Emma (left) and Rose (right) enjoy the greenhouse in 2014. Photo by Jessica Foley/Kingstonist.
The last time visitors were invited to the space was in 2020. That year, the greenhouse was open Sunday afternoons in late February and early March as “a great opportunity to learn about the different types of species planted around Kingston every year and supports the City’s strategic priority to foster healthy citizens and vibrant spaces,” according to Troy Stubinski, Operations Manager for the City of Kingston’s Public Works department, at the time.
During these afternoons, tropical plants and spring bulbs were on display, and greenhouse staff would be on hand to answer any questions from the public.
Those who have visited the greenhouse in the past may be wondering about the central section between the two greenhouse wings, where trees, cacti, and flowering plants seemed to be permanently installed. In response to inquiries, the City shared that a “scaled down version of the showcase still exists at the greenhouse.”
The central display area in 2017. Photo by Jessica Foley/Kingstonist.
A pathway in the central display area of the greenhouse. Kingstonist file image.
Kelsey Pye, Communications Officer at the City, shared that the City greenhouse grows all annual and perennial plants used throughout the city. They are grown from either cuttings or seeds, and the plant numbers range year to year.
“This year, we are at full capacity with approximately 8,000 4-inch pots,” she detailed, noting that three horticulturists do the planting work throughout the city.
On its website, the City of Kingston explained that its dedicated horticultural team “takes pride in nurturing thousands of plant varieties in Kingston’s public areas each year.”
“They strive for vibrant, low-maintenance displays, keeping native species and pollinators in mind. Every season brings fresh growth and new species to enhance our shared spaces.”
Left: pots growing flowers, which were planted around the city. Right: a display of spring-flowering bulbs and plants in the greenhouse. Photos by Jessica Foley/Kingstonist.
According to Pye, all growing and beautification is done using City staff resources.
“Plant material is used to beautify our city and is planted in our parks, downtown planters and City facilities,” she explained.
“All of our work is done in-house. No planting or materials are contracted out. In some cases, such as in the off-season, some material may be purchased from external greenhouses, but only when material is no longer available at the City greenhouse.”
Pye also shared that the Public Works operating budget for Horticulture is approximately $500,000.
As to why the greenhouse is no longer open to visitors, she said that the City greenhouse is a “tight space with limited accessibility, making it difficult to handle large groups of visitors.”
The City of Kingston has a video on its website for those who may like to “experience the greenhouse from home!”
“Watch the video to see spring bulbs, tropical plants, and learn about [the greenhouse’s] history and our horticulturalists’ work,” the City said on its website.
Despite the fact the greenhouse was always busy during these annual visiting days, Pye said there are no plans to open the greenhouse to visitors in the future.
“We are doing more beautification work than in pre-pandemic years, making our greenhouses busier spots,” she confirmed, adding that there are now more items, such as planter benches and boxes, in the downtown area to be filled each year.
“With additional plantings identified throughout the city, the greenhouse is currently running at 100 per cent capacity — they’re using all available free growing space to its maximum. That means space is limited within the facility to accommodate public visits,” she detailed.
“We appreciate how much community members enjoyed their visits.”
Learn more about the City’s gardens and urban forests on its website.
Jessica is the Assistant Editor and Lead Writer at Kingstonist. She is raising her family here in Kingston, enjoys reading, gardening, and just being outside, and tries hard to hit up the amazing events and goings on around town. She’s also a background actor (extra)! You can find more of her personal writing on her website Jess Foley – Writer, and see what she gets up to with her family on Facebook, BlueSky and Instagram!
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