5655 Sperling Ave., Burnaby, B.C.  [Directions]

The Eagles Estate Heritage Garden is a beautiful 1.6 acre site located on the southeast shore of Deer Lake in Burnaby, B.C. The partial woodland garden is home to much wildlife and features stunning views of Deer Lake and the north shore mountains.   Based on its historic, artistic, and cultural significance, the Eagles Estate Heritage Garden is recognized as a civic heritage site.  In 1995 the City of Burnaby purchased the site from UBC who had inherited it from the Eagles family. TLC – The Land Conservancy of British Columbia has had its Lower Mainland office inside the heritage house and has been working in cooperation with the City of Burnaby to restore the garden since 2003.  The on-going restoration process has been quite intensive, but the garden is well on its way to regaining its former beauty thanks to the help of many dedicated volunteers.  [Click here to learn more about volunteering].

Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles began construction of the house in 1929.  The naturalistic gardens were developed based on a 1937 plan by notable horticulturist Frank E. Buck.  Three terraces were shaped to make the sloping site more useable and rockeries were built in between each terrace.  Trenches and ponds were used to channel the large volume of water that flows through the site.   Many mature specimen trees and shrubs remain:  Japanese maples, magnolias, deciduous azaleas, rhododendrons, etc.  Most of the perennials were engulfed by invasive plant species that had taken over the site.  However,  the English ivy, Himalayan blackberries,  and Japanese Knotweed are now under control and replanting is underway.

The Eagles put a great deal of hard work into developing their beautiful country estate and were always inviting people to come enjoy the garden.  As the venue for dinners with dignitaries, reunions, a children’s “Alice in Wonderland” production, croquet matches, cake raffles, and such, the Eagles Estate was a community gathering place.  Now, as part of Deer Lake Park, the Eagles Estate is open to the public from dawn to dusk and continues to be a welcoming destination.  Be sure to drop by the interpretive centre located in the garage attached to the house to learn more about TLC, the Eagles Estate, and Blythe and Violet Eagles.  The interpretive centre is generally open from May to thanksgiving on Mondays to Saturdays from 9 – 5 p. m.