Tips and Rules
As Canada’s oldest university botanic garden, UBC Botanical Garden, receives thousands of visitors every year, so we’ve gathered a comprehensive list of tips and rules to ensure our visitors get the most out of their visit.
We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes as the majority of the Garden features gravel or wood chip pathways. For safety reasons, closed-toed shoes are required for group tours.
Other than service dogs, the Garden is a pet-free zone. Kindly leave your pets at home as it is dangerous to leave any pets in the car and our parking lot does not offer any shade.
There are three washrooms at UBC Botanical Garden: one near the entrance, one in the Garden Pavilion, and a Porta Potty near the exit of the Greenheart TreeWalk. Nitobe Memorial Garden does not have a washroom on site, but there are washrooms available to visitors nearby. Ask the Admission Desk for information and directions.
Garden Policies
Please help us protect and maintain the Garden by observing the following rules.
- You will need to present your ticket and membership/UBC card (as relevant) on arrival. Tickets may be presented digitally on a mobile device or printed on paper. For sustainability reasons, we encourage digital tickets. Unfortunately, if you do not hold an entry ticket, you will not be able to enter the Garden. Members and UBC Cardholders are required to show their membership or valid UBC card on entry. Friends of the Garden (FOG) volunteers are required to wear their nametag.
- The Garden is a tobacco-free environment. Smoking and tobacco products are not allowed on Garden property, including all buildings, grounds, restrooms and parking lots.
- For their safety, please supervise children at all times. All children under 13 must be accompanied by a guardian over 18 years of age.
- No climbing, running, sports or games.
- Please leave flowers and plants for everyone to enjoy. Do not collect or remove seeds, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, plant labels, etc.
- Stay on pathways and mowed lawn areas. Do not walk in mulched or planted garden beds.
- Do not wade or swim in ponds, streams, or fountains.
- No pets. Service dogs/animals are permitted.
- Do not feed or handle the wildlife. It can be harmful to them and you.
- Please dispose of waste in recycling bins when appropriate.
- For safety, please keep your personal items with you at all times. The Garden cannot be held responsible for missing items. If you recover an item in the Garden that does not belong to you, please turn it in to the Admission Desk.
- Shirts and shoes are required at all times.
- No outside alcohol or use of firearms.
- You are welcome to take photos for your personal use. Commercial photography is prohibited without prior consent. Please email garden.bookings@ubc.ca for instructions and guidelines. All photography requests should be directed to our Photography & Filming department
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