A Walk Through Blooms, Aurora Community Arboretum

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Aurora Community Arboretum was in full bloom. Now, the colours are starting to fade. When I arrived that day, I knew exactly where to begin, but finishing was harder than I expected. A text message finally got me moving: “Okay, I’m coming out of the bushes now,” I replied, texting back and literally stepping out of the dense area full of bushes and everything else I didn’t want to leave behind. I figured there’s always next year. I knew I wouldn’t be back tomorrow or even next week. The blooms don’t last very long.

What I left behind?

Whites, pinks, purples, blues, reds, yellows—every shade in between. Green leaves were just starting to show on some trees, but the flowers were the main attraction. Up close, the blooms created a bright, textured display. Not all trees bloom at the same time, though. Some were already shifting, their blossoms quietly fading into the background as fresh leaves took over. Even that slow transition had its own kind of beauty.

There were also the lilacs—soft lavender, deep purple, and snow white—clustered in fragrant bunches that filled the air with a sweet scent. Walking past felt like a familiar experience.

I remember when the Arboretum was just starting out. It wasn’t like this back then. Now, 20 years later, it has transformed. There are several entrances, each with its own look and feel. The one through the Aurora Family Leisure Centre parking lot? I know that one well. I missed the blooms completely last year, but this time I caught them just right.

On my way back, I passed the spot where I once ran into Gordon Barnes. That was a long time ago, when the field was more open, with fewer shrubs and smaller trees. He was tagging and trimming, clipboard in hand, taking notes. I also once visited his home on Catherine Avenue, where he showed me his office. On the wall, he had a map of the Arboretum covered in coloured dots and markings—each one representing something carefully planned or observed.

Things are different now. More people walk through, enjoying the space. They usually say hello, and sometimes stop to chat, often admiring this lovely spot in our town.

Blooming usually happens just after the nearby field of golden daffodils begins to fade.

And as I said, it’s always hard to leave.

Believe it or not, I originally came looking for birds. I had a new lens to try out. I spotted one goldfinch—more arrived briefly and then vanished—and that was it. But I knew from the start this walk wasn’t really about the birds. It was going to be about the flowers—millions of them, blooming together like nature’s grand finale.