iN PHOTOS: Stunning Kelowna garden reopens to public after years of restoration

An immaculate garden in Kelowna is reopening to the public after years of restoration work by the newest owners of the property.

Chris Priebe and his family bought Elysium Gardens four years ago. He’s the president of Authentic Walk Ministries, a charity that has been growing food on the grounds to supply other local charities.

“It costs a lot of money to run the property as a charity so we figured we’d open it to the public so more people can enjoy it and we can make running things more affordable,” he said.

He said the previous owner had owned it for a year and started restoring it and his family continued the work.

The owners prior to that were a couple who opened the gardens to the public between 1999 and 2014.

“In the beginning it was an apple orchard and the lady started making a little garden, then kept expanding it until it got to two acres,” Priebe said. “Tons of people were involved and she was doing weddings and events, and selling plants out of her nursery. Eventually, she sold off the property and it sat idle for awhile.”

The property features an old wedding chapel, a Japanese garden, hidden ornaments for kids to find and U-pick berries. A sunflower maze is in the works. The fruit trees include apple, peach and cherry.  

“Sometimes we do field trips for schools where the kids learn about local farming because we’ve got so much variety of food crops,” Priebe said. “People sent from other charities come here and pull weeds for an hour then pick food for an hour and it gives them time out in nature and food for their house.”

This week the gardens are open on a trial for Priebe to determine how much work it takes to open the gardens to the public on a full-time basis.

“It’s going well, people are happy and happy to have something affordable to do with their kids,” he said. “I have a bunch of kids myself and know it’s expensive to go anywhere.

“Depending on the public interest and if any damage happens to the gardens, we want to be open continuously. So far, everyone has been very respectful.

“It’s such a beautiful place, we want families to come enjoy it and to experience going into the field to pick and eat fresh berries.”

Located at 2834 Belgo Road in Kelowna, Elysium Gardens are open for drop-ins on June 29, June 30 and July 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are by donation and include a code to open the garden gate.

Go here for a family garden ticket.

Go here for a garden ticket and 1 pound of you-pick berries.

Go here to follow Elysium Gardens on Facebook.