Vancouver's Bloedel Conservatory welcomes visitors after months-long closure

After closing for just over two months for upgrades, Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory reopened its doors the public Saturday.

The popular attraction is located within Queen Elizabeth Park and features tropical birds, koi fish and hundreds of exotic plants.

“The birds also love attention and love engagement, so I think the birds really missed having people to engage and chat with them during the day,” said Emily Schultz, supervisor of revenue and visitor services for Bloedel Conservatory and VanDusen Botanical Garden. 

“I think they’re really excited to see people coming back today.”

Since closing its doors on Oct. 28, the garden’s interior pathway has been reconstructed.

The old walkway is the original from the 1960s when the indoor botanical garden was built, Schultz explained, and its paving stones shifted over the decades creating gaps.

The new path is made of basalt and flagstone, and is wider and smoothed out so the floor is more accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Families returned to the conservatory Saturday to meet the birds and learn about tropical plants, something Schultz says is one of Vancouver’s most affordable days out.

“Especially on those dark rainy days, it’s just something fun to do with the kids,” she said.

Bloedel Conservatory is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through February and has later hours in the spring and summer months.