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The Darts Hill Garden Park Endowment Fund
The Darts Hill Garden Park Endowment provides necessary funds to build upon Francisca Darts’ vision of a Plantsman’s Garden. The Endowment contributes to capital projects that ensure the garden continues to be a unique and vital asset within the City of Surrey. Your generous contribution helps ensure the fund continues to grow and provides benefit to visitors to Darts Hill Garden Park through additional amenities and improvements.
Darts Hill Garden is the result of over 75 years of work and dedication guided by the clear vision of Francisca Darts. Along with her husband Edwin, Francisca took a logged piece of land, turned it first into an award-winning orchard and then into the unique garden that is Darts Hill today.
In 1994 Edwin and Francisca Darts donated their 7.5-acre garden to the City of Surrey and its citizens. Their intention was to give Surrey its own garden to be used as a horticultural centre for the preservation, enhancement, and development of plants. Their original endowment of $200,000 now stands at $5 million.
The Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society works in partnership with the City of Surrey overseeing the operation of Darts Hill Garden Park. Each year, SurreyCares distributes a portion of the revenue generated from the endowment to be used for necessary capital projects. Some projects that have been funded by the endowment include:
Pond design & renovation
Infrastructure improvements
including much needed drainage improvements
Structural improvements
for increased safety and enjoyment including, stairs, railings, basalt walls and gravel pathways
Perimeter fencing
at the entry to the Maple Meadow to improve site security and protection of unique plants and trees
The disbursement for 2020 was $274,819.63. These funds will partially be used towards the following projects:
- The ongoing acquisition of new and innovative plants for our area ($5,000 annually).
- Ongoing upgrades to the drainage and irrigation system ($40,000 – $70,000 annually).
- Future development plans, beginning with architectural plans, for a new Reception Building ($25,000).
The Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society and the City of Surrey would like to thank the many corporate and individual donors who recognize the value and enjoyment that Darts Hill Garden Park provides to the people of Surrey. Your ongoing generosity is greatly appreciated.
The Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society (DHGCTS) supports the support the work of SurreyCares. The Society has a significant role in recommending to the City of Surrey and assisting in prioritizing the capital projects which the revenue generated from the Darts Hill Garden Park Endowment Fund makes possible. The DHGCT Society is currently seeking charitable status itself so, in the future, donors will have an option as to how they may contribute to the long term success of Darts Hill Garden Park.