Riverview Horticultural Centre Society was founded in 1992. Its mission is to preserve and protect the Lands and Trees of the Riverview Hospital site as a community oriented, financially viable centre for horticultural, educational and therapeutic activities.
RECENT HISTORY:2023April to October: Come out and join our tree tours in 2023. Each one is a bit different and always very enjoyable. Native to Central and South Eastern Europe, it is otherwise known as the Golden Chain tree in reference to its profuse showy bloom of yellow flowers in dense, pendulous, wisteria like clusters. An additional name of Golden Rain is popular in Europe but not so much in North America.
2022December 2022 - Celebrating 30 Years of Advocacy 1992 - 2022 In December 1992 the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society was founded as a non-profit group with a vision to save the trees and prevent further development on the 244 acres left of the original 1000 acres which was set aside in 1904 as a sanctuary and residential treatment facility for the mentally ill and for a BC Provincial Botanical Garden. In December 2022 supporters gathered to celebrate 30 years of advocacy for the trees and for a centre for mental health excellence. November 9, 2022 - A large mound of soil in the northwest corner of the cemetary from soil excavated while building the Healing Centre. The mound was shaped to reflect the centre of the 'Coast Salish Eye' and is now being covered with native plants. October 27, 2022 - RHCS met with BC Housing (BCH) and Kwikwetlem First Nation (KFN). The main topics of the meeting were as follows; Cost Concerns Regarding Tree Walks August 2022 - In August BC Housing (BCH) and Kwikwetlem First Nation (KFN) jointly moved forward and removed the RHCS information KIOSKS. We were disappointed by this decision. Tree tours were well-attended this year. May 25, 2022 - Premier David Eby, while he was the Minister Responsible for Housing, toured sumiqwuelu/Riverview on a tree walk with RHCS. January 2022 - Sadly, Valleyview Lodge was demolished. Are more historic buildings awaiting the same fate? 2022 - RHCS is looking for information from the Public Advisory Group (PAG) which was created by BCH to gather information and ideas about the future of the Riverview Lands. 2022 - Informed by BCH that the number of Sponsored Walks would be reduced to 5 Walks. 2021November 2021 - In an assessment done by Diamond Head Consulting, the arborist company hired by BCH, the removal of 12 trees near Lougheed Highway was recommended. These trees have since been removed. RHCS asked an arborist for an independent opinion. He did not dispute the removal of these trees. March 30, 2021 - The Province and BC Housing were excited to join Kwikwetlem First Nation to honour the Nation’s historical and cultural ties to the lands by renaming the site sumiqwuelu (pronounced Suh-mEE-kwuh EL-uh). 2021 - 3 Tree Walks (due to Covid) 20202020 - No Walks due to Covid. 2019September 18, 2019 - Finnies Garden Beautification Day hosted by BC Housing. 20162016 - 2017 BC Housing continues to Remove Trees with no repercussions. 2015December - Announcement of BC Housing Vision for Riverview Lands: Vision September - GREEN SCENE: Save the trees, save the buildings, save Riverview - The extreme drought of this summer — which now, thankfully, seems to be over — has posed challenges for the fabulous tree collection at Riverview. - See more at: Tricity News September - LETTER: Neglect hurt trees on Riverview site July 9, 2015 - Panel Discussion topic (videos were removed by Gov.) 20142014 COQUITLAM Health Campus: The City of Coquitlam retained Dr. John Higenbottam to translate their long-held vision for the Riverview Lands as a place for healing and caring into required programs, services and associated facilities. The result was the creation of Into the Future: The Coquitlam Health Campus RHCS Presented to BC Housing & the Renewing Riverview Consultants: START of "RIVERVIEW VISIONING" by BC Housing. 2012Rather than support the National Historic Site application, the BC Provincial Government hired a consultant to produce a “Heritage Conservation Plan” (HCP) for Riverview. May and June 2012 - One of the objectives of the HCP was to survey the public to learn what we value about the Riverview Lands and why. Critical public consultations took place during May and June 2012. The resulting report was to be used to inform a Land Use Plan for Riverview that may be put forth within a year. Heritage Canada Foundation Releases RIVERVIEW LANDS TOP of LIST OTTAWA, ON – June 27, 2012 - The Heritage Canada Foundation (HCF) (now National Trust for Canada) released its Top Ten Endangered Places and Worst Losses Lists drawing attention to architectural and heritage sites in Canada either threatened with demolition or already lost. The Endangered Places List, compiled from nominations received as well as from news items that HCF has been following and reporting on throughout the year from west to east.- Tricity News Riverview NATURAL HERITAGE STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY GROUP no longer meeting? Without notice the government stopped participation. 2001Riverview NATURAL HERITAGE STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY GROUP formation. It is important that each of us express our opinion: We need to send a message that the Lands should remain in public ownership and accessible, that they should continue to be dedicated to the needs of the mentally ill, and that the heritage trees, buildings, and landscapes should be preserved. PLEASE WRITE LETTERS/email to give BC Housing YOUR OPINION. Stay current & Ready to Act for the Riverview/sumiqwuelu Site. Here is what you can do: Stay INFORMED:
If you cannot find the information you are looking for please Express your opinion:
In the past, people have spoken strongly against market housing on the Riverview site - we hope the provincial government is listening as an important ecological, horticultural, and historical treasure would be lost forever. We can’t allow this to happen. The City of Coquitlam envisions a very different future for Riverview.
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A Unique Collection of Heritage Trees ARBORETUM
in COQUITLAM, BC - 2601 Lougheed Hwy.
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