Staff from the Slocan Site Redevelopment Project – the team tasked with the design and construction of a new BC Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity – partnered with landscaping company Blue Pine Enterprises to dig up the plants on December 18, 2023, and redistribute them to local community members.
The garden at the site was planted in 2008 by members of the BC Landscape & Nursery Association, who generously donated plants, time, and labour to create a green space for the children and families receiving care at Sunny Hill. Sunny Hill moved to the BC Children’s Hospital campus on Oak Street in August 2020, and the buildings on the site are about to be demolished to make way for the new centre for health complexity, due to open in 2028.
As part of the redevelopment of the site, the existing landscape will be enhanced with native and pollinator planting, a community garden, accessible pathways, and a new open space on the corner of Kaslo Street and 21st Avenue. The project team is committed to preserving the majority of trees on the site, especially the mature trees at the north end.
The project team would like to thank all the neighbours who stopped by for a chat, and who agreed to care for the plants from the Sunny Hill garden. We would love to see your plants in bloom in the spring. Please share images to slocaninfo@phsa.ca.
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David and Vero from the Slocan team handing out coffee and donuts during the plant giveaway community event. 
The garden at the former Sunny Hill Health Centre at E 21 Avenue and Kaslo Street in Vancouver. 
Vanessa, Justin and Clare from Blue Pine Enterprises worked hard to dig up over 100 plants throughout the day.
David and Veronika delivering a shrub from the Sunny Hill garden to a community member.
Harvey and Michelle with their new rhododendron.
Jonas in his garden, with the rescued plants from the former Sunny Hill site.
Kenneth with a truckload of rescued plants.
Ed putting his plants in the ground.
