Couple crossing pond at Glades

Explore one of the Lower Mainland's largest collections of rhododendrons and azaleas.

The Glades Woodland Garden is a feature garden in South Surrey with many rare plants, including over 3500 mature rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants. Some of the rhododendrons are more than 6 metres (20 feet) tall, and are ablaze in colour in the spring. The garden also contains a superb collection of fine trees, many of which are now designated as heritage.

The park features 5 acres of historic gardens. In the future, we will expand the gardens and facilities to 15 acres total.

Public Openings

The garden is currently closed

  • Will be open May 4 - June 30, 2024
  • Open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm
  • Tickets required for entry, available online or by phone April 9 at noon

Address

457 - 172 Street

Tickets

Tickets required for entry. Please purchase ahead of time.

Available April 9 (online and by phone).

2024 Pricing

Regular garden openings:

General admission: $7.50
Children (12 and under): free
Seniors (55+): $5.50

Event garden openings:

General admission: $8.25
Children (12 and under): free

Park guidelines
  • Private events including staged photography and weddings are not permitted in the garden. See recommended parks for private events
  • No bicycles or sporting equipment allowed
  • No pets. Only service animals, suitably identified, are permitted in the garden
  • Pack your garbage out when you leave
Accesibility
  • No wheelchair access

  • Pathways are mulch with slight to steeper inclines

Upcoming events

  • group of volunteers working in a garden bed

    Garden Work Parties

    Join our head gardeners in the care and maintenance of the Glades Woodland Garden. Best suited for those 16 years old and up – tools and training provided. Pre-registration is required. 

    • Dates: The third Tuesday of each month from April - October
    • Time: 10am-12pm
    Learn more

The story of The Glades

In 1956, Lydia and Murray Stephen purchased a 5-acre parcel of land riddled with blackberries, alder trees and stumps: remnants from turn of the century land clearings. Murray’s dream was to recreate the beautiful rhododendron gardens remembered from his youth in Scotland. They renovated the land, planting rhododendrons, azaleas, exotic trees and shrubs.

After Murray passed away in 1970, the garden fell into a state of decline until Jim and Elfriede DeWolf purchased the garden in 1994 and began their restoration. The garden saw another stage of transformations in 2002 when the DeWolfs gifted The Glades to the City of Surrey. Numerous renovations and additions have taken place, and more are planned.

The DeWolfs have always given much input into the garden, ensuring its footprint is not altered but enhanced in a manner that Murray Stephen would approve.

Park improvements

The City is expanding the park to an ultimate size of 15 acres. The concept plan, completed by Parks staff and the Landscape Architectural firm PWL Partnership, outlines the park expansion. The concept includes:

  • New feature gardens
  • Gathering spaces
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • A new main entrance.

Improvements will allow for additional park events and for more public garden openings in the future.

logo for the glades woodland garden

Contacts

Phone: 604-501-5050

Email: partnersinparks@surrey.ca