The city's largest forestry garden is celebrating its silver anniversary.
Goodsir Nature Park, located on Old Summit Lake Road about half an hour's drive north of Prince George, is turning 25 on June 21 and proprietor Jim Good will be marking the occasion with a weekend of celebrations as he opens his handmade botanical spectacle for the new season.
"When I first opened the park, my impossible dream, I had four people there to witness it: Joan and Rudy Stockman and Wilfred and Mary Erickson," said Good. All but one have since passed on. In their memory he will renew his vows to his nature preserve on the same day, in exactly the same spot. He will, as he did then, recite the Declaration of Goodsir, the short vision statement he wrote in 1989.
"[Goodsir Nature Park's] purpose is to focus on all native plant life throughout Canada, that of our creator," it said, in part. "It was built on a janitor's salary and I believe it will stand the test of time for future generations to see."
Today it is 160 acres of forest, with an extensive network of trails hand hewn over the years by Good, his wife Reine and daughter Maureine, and a few community supporters.
Good has also placed interpretive signs throughout the forest to explain the magnificent collection of trees, shrubs, flowers and other flora. He has personally imported hundreds of plants, large and small, from all over Canada all growing within the boundaries of this one location. The Prince George climate has naturally culled some of his experiments, but the many that survive and thrive alongside native species are a testament to Canada's natural bounty in the context of our region's own.
One might think it impossible to have western hemlock, a rainforest tree, or a red maple from Newfoundland-Labrador pushing up through the understory of our local forest. Yet these curiously call Goodsir home, as does a boreal white spruce from the Arctic that stands like a stubborn pencil despite being transplanted to Goodsir in 1988. There's also a limber pine only as big around as a dime and tall as your knee although it is 30 years old. They struggle but they survive.
Other species have found the Goodsir conditions a wonderful new home. A western white pine transplanted from Rossland leaps into the sky, as does a ponderosa pine from near Lytton.
At the right time of year, even cactus comes out to play.
There is a beaver pond with a cabin, plenty of tenting and picnicking services, some RV amenities, and an interpretive centre at the trailhead - a former house turned into a chalk-full plant museum and gift shop.
"It has been recognized as the first of its kind in Canada," said Good.
The park is open for visitors. If Good is home, he will happily give you a guided tour but most people park at the visitor centre and self-guide their way around the easy walking trails. Admission is by donation, suggested to be $10 per family, less for individuals, and overnighting is also welcome.
For park information, call Goodsir at 1-250-971-2337 or visit the Tourism Information Centre downtown.
