Cherry blossoms in full bloom at scenic Oakville park

Spring is in full bloom and so are the cherry blossoms in Oakville!

It’s officially the season for Sakura trees and their popular cherry blossoms at Gairloch Gardens are beginning to bloom and that makes for some beautiful viewing at the Oakville park.

Located between Lakeshore Rd. and Carincroft Rd., the public garden is a popular spot for wedding photography, hikers, dog walkers and at this time of year those looking to catch the spectacular, colourful sights of flowering cherry blossoms.

There are also fun events planned for kids in celebration of the explosion of cherry blossoms.

This May features Museum Month Drop-in Craft Activities at the Oakville Museum and the weekend of May 11 to 12 children 3 and above, accompanied by an adult supervisor, can celebrate Sakura season by making their own paper cherry blossoms.

Kids can be inspired by the decorative floral objects on display at the museum.

The cherry blossoms at Gairloch Gardens were a gift from the Japanese consulate in Toronto as part of the Sakura project. The gift of 2000 trees presented to Canada from Japanese ambassador Toru-Hagiwara in 1959 was on behalf of citizens of Tokyo.

The trees were planted in appreciation of Toronto accepting re-located Japanese Canadians following the Second World War.

On the shores of Lake Ontario, Gairloch Gardens was owned by James A. Gairdner who called the estate Gairloch, meaning “short lake.”

After passing away in 1971, Gardiner donated the estate to the Town of Oakville asking that the land be used for a public garden and public art gallery.

It now features serene gardens and is the home of the Oakville Galleries.

Cherry blossoms can also be found in Oakville at Neyagawa Park.

The cherry blossom season only lasts a short week or two. Parking is free at Gairloch Gardens, which is located at 1308 Lakeshore Rd. E.