You don’t need to have a green thumb to enjoy this attraction. This 2.5 acre enclosed roof garden holds 20,000 plants! There is a full mile of lush walkways to enjoy, a sculpture court that will amaze you and a playground for the kids. Devonian Gardens is a peaceful indoor park located in the heart of downtown Calgary.

Devonian Gardens is one of the world's largest indoor parks. The Gardens opened in September 1977 and have been a favourite destination for local and international tourists, downtown workers, and Calgarians too. It is also a venue for special events, corporate functions and weddings.

Admission is FREE

J.H. Cook Architects and Engineers of Calgary created the park’s design, and the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations and Oxford Development donated Devonian Gardens to the City of Calgary.16,000 plants were imported from Florida, and 4,000 native plants were used. The final tally for the construction of the Gardens was $9 million.

Located above Toronto Dominion Square and atop the Toronto Dominion Centre shopping complex at 317 7th Ave SW. Alberta’s largest indoor gardens, the Devonian Gardens have numerous ponds with rainbow trout and koi. Watch closely to see turtles! Devonian Gardens is home to 45 Red Ear Slider turtles - the most common pet turtle. Families who could no longer care for them donated many of Devonian Gardens’ turtles.

Sections of the Devonian Gardens include the Quiet Garden, Sun Garden, Creek Bed, Reflecting Pond. Various sculptures are found throught the Devonian Gardens, which also hosts a permanent art exhibition in the Sculpture Court that showcases the work of Calgary artists.

Devonian Gardens Tours
Cost - $5/person
Book a tour for your party of 10 people or more and get a 45 minute guided tour through the beautiful and unique Devonian Gardens. Learn about the history, the choice of plant life, details about fish and turtle life and much more.

To book your tour call 3-1-1 or (403) 268-CITY (2489) if calling from outside Calgary.

Purchase a souvenir
Keepsake DVD's and CD's are available for $10/each at the customer service booth. The DVD is a 20 minute tour with a combination of live video footage and select photos of the garden with an audio commentary.The photo CD consists of plant lifecycle, day to day attractions, aquatic life and special events.

Devonian Gardens Admission:
Admission to Devonian Gardens is FREE, donations are welcome. Donation boxes are located by the 7th and 8th Avenue entrances, the Glass Elevator, the Quiet Garden, and at the ascending escalator in the park. Postcards and pins are available for purchase at the Parks Office (see Devonian Gardens Map below).

Devonian Gardens Hours of Operation:

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday & Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Open all Statutory Holidays except Christmas Day. Will close early when special events are booked.

Devonian Gardens Playground:

The playground is situated in a corner to help maintain the peaceful nature of this indoor oasis throughout the Gardens. While the children take a few minutes to play hard and burn off some energy, you can enjoy the site of the terraces, which go from the fourth floor to the second floor.

Sun Garden Area:

This is a popular spot for weddings and corporate functions.While strolling through the Sun Garden area, look for the assorted fish in the pools. Species of fish include Koi and Catfish. The Sun Garden is also home to ficus nitida and benjamina meant to resemble Calgary’s native poplars, as well as to bottle brush callistemon meant to resemble the local willows. Norfolk pine (araucaria excelsa) represent the Norway spruce. The pools are made of Styrofoam with a layer of gunized cement. During construction, 4,000 yards of loam were brought in to fill the plant beds

Did you know:

• Devonian Gardens changes the floral displays approximately 18 times a year. The flowers planted reflect the changing seasons and occasions.
• The Devonian Gardens pools and ponds re-circulate 85,000 gallons of water
• In early spring, you can smell the sweet aroma of tulips, narcissus, and hyacinths in blossom. During Easter, you will find beautiful Easter lilies among pink & blue hydrangeas.
• the Devonian Gardens are brightend by 400 and 1,000 Watt metal halide lights
• Throughout the summer, come & view the azaleas, carnations, mini roses, gardenias African violets, kalanchoes, and lilies of many colours & sizes. Relax in the open air reflecting pond area and bask in the sun while listening to the soothing sounds of gentle water fountains.
• The p lants are changed 18 times every year, emphasing seasonal themes
• 1.6 km of walkways cross three levels of indoor gardens
• During fall, come & enjoy the chrysanthemums displayed in shades of autumn.
• 16,000 plants were imported from Florida for the park opening
• Lose the winter blues by visiting the bright and colourful Christmas cactus. Marvel over a sea of red poinsettias presented over the Christmas season complete with several Christmas trees beautifully decorated to celebrate the festive spirit!

Devonian Gardens Map:
Below is a sketch of the layout of the Devonian Gardens in Calgary. It is a magical place to visit and take a break from shopping while downtown!

Click on Map to get a larger version

Devonian Gardens Contact Information:
For bookings and rental rates, call (403) 268-3830. To book a guided group tour of the Garden, call (403) 221-3782
To learn how Devonian Gardens can accommodate your upcoming event, call (403) 221-4274

Devonian Gardens Calgary Address:
Toronto Dominion Square (4th level)
317 7Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Special Events

• Devonian Gardens' 30th Birthday Bash
  September 20, 2007
  Come celebrate Devonian Gardens' 30th Birthday with a cake cutting at Noon! Entertainment by 'Elvis'.
  Admission is free to the public with a Food Bank donation of a non-perishable item.
  For more information contact Dave Fisher at 861-4866.
• Remote Control Regatta
  September 30, 2007
  Do you love racing your remote control vehicle? Want to see all the remote control toys available to the general public. Check out PM Hobbies and Crafts. They have enthusiastically partnered with Devonian to provide public demonstrations of remote control crafts. Admission is free to the public with a Food Bank donation of a non-perishable item. For more information contact Dave Fisher at 861-4866.
• DevoFest Music Festival
  November 18, 2007
  Join us for an afternoon of artwork and music in an indoor garden setting. Paintings, sculptures, pottery and other work by talented artisans will be featured along with a variety of live music in three areas of the gardens. Get that special someone their Christmas gift early. Doors open to the public at 11 a.m., music starts at noon, event closes at 6 p.m. Admission is free to the public with a Food Bank donation of a non-perishable item.
  For more information contact Dave Fisher at 861-4866.

How to Hold an Event at Devonian Gardens

Hosting an event in unique and beautiful Devonian Gardens creates an unforgettable atmosphere for you and your guests. Devonian Gardens easily accommodates events such as seated dinners, cocktail parties, corporate social functions, client appreciations, farewell parties, staff parties, and Christmas parties. Party-planning enthusiasts can simply book the Gardens and take it from there.

Sections can be booked individually or together for both small and large groups.

The choice is yours:

• Sun Garden - accommodates up to 200 people
• Quiet Garden - accommodates up to 60 people
• Centre Stage - accommodates up to 100 people
• Display Deck Reception Area - accommodates up to 200
• Total Garden - accommodates up to 400 people
• Use of our sound system, tables & chairs, baby grand piano, and security guards are available.

To discuss your function needs, call 3-1-1 or (403) 268-CITY (2489) if calling from outside Calgary or contact The City of Calgary. For bookings, call (403) 268-3800.

2007 Pricing for Venue
All prices include GST (all prices are subject to change without notice)

Corporate Functions: $350/hr
Children's Birthday Party: $150/hr
Non Profit Receptions: $1720
Excessive Clean-up (for events requiring more than 2 hours clean-up and for more that 249 guests): $495
Holiday surcharge on reception rentals (events starting or ending on a holiday) - 25%
Discount on receptions booked on Monday - Wednesday (excluded holidays) - 10%
Catering surcharge - $5/person
Corkage Fee (includes ice, glasses, mix) - $7/person
Bottle recycling fee - $75
S.O.C.A.N. Fees (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) - $123.38
See Additional Event Services for more services including A/V rentals, videography and other equipment.
All fees paid are non-refundalbe. Receptions are confirmed when a 50% deposit is paid.

To book a function or check date availability, call (403) 268-3800. To discuss your booked function needs call 3-1-1 or (403) 268-CITY (2489) if calling from outside Calgary or contact The City of Calgary.