Niagara Parks School of Horticulture

Niagara Parks School of Horticulture is both an educational institution and a public botanical garden that is maintained by staff and students. The school bills itself as an alternative to post-secondary training for horticulture by providing students with a 36 consecutive month program combining practical and academic studies. The School of Horticulture is part of the Niagara Parks Commission located in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

The school building as seen in 2010.

History

The school was founded in 1936 as the Niagara Parks Commission Training School for Apprentice Gardeners and renamed with the current name in 1959. In the beginning all students were required to be male and single. It wasn't until 1976 that the first female graduated the program.

Admissions and Programs

Admissions to the school requires applicants with prior horticulture experience plus Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent). The school is looking for students of all age. And often accepts older students who are looking to go back to school or begin a new career path. The schools will accept a maximum of fifteen students per year. Two academic semesters run on a ten-week rotation, starting Labor day. When students aren't in academic classes they can be found outside, maintaining the grounds of the Botanical Garden.

Graduate receives a diploma in Professional Horticulture upon completion of required courses and practical application over 3 years.

Campus

Training for students are conducted at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Conservatory and The Niagara Parks Greenhouses. All students have the opportunity to live in the residence, located on the botanical gardens grounds.

The School of Horticulture students are responsible for maintaining the Niagara Botanical Gardens on a year-round basis. Regular garden maintenance continues into the fall semester of the academic season and winter tree pruning, greenhouse work, and more are completed through the winter semester of the academic season.

Notable Graduates

• Alfred H. Savage - horticulturalist in the 1950s and 1960s, he later became a transit manager with the Toronto Transit Commission and Chicago Transit Authority

Rival Schools in Canada

• Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario offers a 2-year diploma in Horticultural Industries
• University of Guelph - BSc in Crop, Horticultural and Turfgrass Sciences, Diploma in Turfgrass Management and Horticulture Diploma
• Redeemer University College - BSc in Horticulture