July 7, 2026
Visitors to the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens will find more than blooming flowers this summer as Niagara Parks celebrates two major milestones with new attractions, live entertainment and plans for a significant future expansion.
The Botanical Gardens are marking their 90th anniversary this year, while the Butterfly Conservatory celebrates 30 years since opening its doors. To commemorate the occasions, Niagara Parks has introduced a new interactive exhibit inside the conservatory, launched a partnership with the Shaw Festival for an outdoor theatre production and announced that construction on a new Children’s Garden will begin this fall.
The newest addition, the Pollinator Playground, is a permanent exhibit designed to educate visitors about the important role pollinators play in the environment. Through interactive displays and digital activities, guests can learn about butterflies, bees, birds, bats and other pollinating species while exploring hands-on experiences geared toward children and families.
One of the exhibit’s highlights allows visitors to colour illustrations of pollinators before scanning them into a digital forest, where the creations come to life on a large projection screen. Another interactive station encourages guests to design their own insects and plants while learning about science and nature.
The exhibit complements the Butterfly Conservatory, home to more than 3,000 free-flying butterflies representing dozens of species from around the world.
Beginning July 9, visitors will also be able to enjoy A Short History of Niagara, a family-friendly outdoor theatre production presented in partnership with the Shaw Festival. The complimentary performances will take place in the Botanical Gardens twice daily, Thursday through Tuesday, until Aug. 18, bringing thousands of years of Niagara’s history to life.
Looking ahead, Niagara Parks and the Niagara Parks Foundation are preparing to break ground on a four-acre Children’s Garden, an outdoor space featuring 12 sensory-rich play and learning areas designed to connect children with nature through exploration and play. The garden is expected to open in 2028.
Niagara Parks Commission Chair Graham Coveney said the projects reflect both the organization’s history and its vision for the future.
“Today’s celebration reflects Niagara Parks at its very best: honouring our legacy while boldly investing in the future,” said Coveney. “The immersive Pollinator Playground, our new partnership with the Shaw Festival and the forthcoming Children’s Garden each demonstrate our commitment to creating meaningful, nature-based experiences that will inspire curiosity and environmental stewardship for generations to come.”
Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho said the investments will continue to strengthen Niagara’s tourism industry while creating new experiences for residents and visitors.
“The Ontario government is proud to celebrate these milestone anniversaries at Niagara Parks,” said Cho. “New attractions like the Children’s Garden, the pollinator exhibit and the Shaw Festival’s unique outdoor theatre experience are enhancing the visitor experience and strengthening Niagara’s reputation as a premier, family-friendly tourism destination for years to come.”
The Pollinator Playground is now open as part of admission to the Butterfly Conservatory, while the new outdoor theatre performances begin July 9.
