Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village
Encyclopedia
Cullen Gardens & Miniature Village was a popular tourist attraction in Whitby, Ontario
, Canada
. Officially opened in May 1980 by founder Len Cullen and his wife, Connie, the Gardens were a major tourist attraction in Durham Region
for 25 years.
that would travel around and between the houses. Other features included radio-controlled miniature boats. It was an entertaining attraction for both children and adults.
. At the time of its closure, the park was co-owned by Sue Cullen-Green and Bryan Green.
The miniature Village is no longer in existence at the site and the model buildings were sold to the nearby City of Oshawa
for $234,000. Oshawa later put them up for sale again rather than opening an attraction of its own, citing budgetary austerity. The golf course formerly attached to Cullen Gardens continues to operate and serve the public. The gardens themselves, which continue to exist in modified form as a Whitby municipal park, are no longer maintained to the degree they were under the former owners. A master plan for the future development of the land is currently in preparation by the city of Whitby (July 2008) and public input is welcome.
Whitby, Ontario
Whitby is a town in Durham Region. Whitby is located in Southern Ontario east of Toronto on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and is home to the headquarters of Durham Region...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Officially opened in May 1980 by founder Len Cullen and his wife, Connie, the Gardens were a major tourist attraction in Durham Region
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
for 25 years.
Features and attractions
Cullen Gardens combined the natural beauty of floral displays and gardens, along with a unique southern Ontario-themed miniature village. The miniature village included many houses and trainsRidable miniature railway
A ridable miniature railway is a ground-level, large scale model railway that hauls passengers using locomotives that are models of full-sized railway locomotives .-Overview:Typically they have a rail track gauge between and , though both larger and...
that would travel around and between the houses. Other features included radio-controlled miniature boats. It was an entertaining attraction for both children and adults.
Festival of Lights
During the Winter holiday season, Cullen Gardens was host to the Festival of Lights, which featured huge displays of Christmas lights throughout the grounds, often decorating large topiaries.Site closure
On 1 January 2006, Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village closed.http://www.markcullen.com/news_events/cullen_gardens.htm The land, however, has since been purchased by the Town of Whitby, to remain in the public domain as a municipal park. There has been speculation that the property may link up with the Heber Downs conservation areaConservation area
A conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
. At the time of its closure, the park was co-owned by Sue Cullen-Green and Bryan Green.
The miniature Village is no longer in existence at the site and the model buildings were sold to the nearby City of Oshawa
Oshawa
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
for $234,000. Oshawa later put them up for sale again rather than opening an attraction of its own, citing budgetary austerity. The golf course formerly attached to Cullen Gardens continues to operate and serve the public. The gardens themselves, which continue to exist in modified form as a Whitby municipal park, are no longer maintained to the degree they were under the former owners. A master plan for the future development of the land is currently in preparation by the city of Whitby (July 2008) and public input is welcome.
External links
- Another paradise lost
- Conversation with Cullen Gardens Area Master Plan Coordinator, City of Whitby, July 15, 2008.
- Friends of Cullen Central Park
- Oshawa will sell miniature village October 17, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2008
- Town of Whitby Purchase of Cullen Gardens Property