Beautiful neighbourhood blooms
The Centre Street Garden is at the intersection of Centre Street and T.J. Dolan Drive, east of John Street. Travelling south on John Street, the garden is the first left turn after crossing the Avon River Bridge. There is ample parking on T. J. Dolan Drive or Centre Street.
Centre Street garden is just a short walk from the Catherine East and Iris gardens.
The garden is an attractive feature of the nearby residential neighbourhood.
History of the garden
Centre Street Garden began as a memorial to Clifford Biggin, who died in 1982. His wife, Lorna, requested memorial donations to Stratford and District Horticultural Society, of which she was a longstanding member.
Architect Terry Marklevitz designed the garden in the late 1980s to simulate two ponds with a rocky stream tumbling between them. The basic design remains, although plantings have changed over the years. The garden is maintained by Garden Stratford volunteers.
The bench
Lorna lived for many years after Clifford’s death. When she died in 2010, the Biggin family commissioned a memorial bench for them both.
The garden was a very appropriate memorial because Clifford and Lorna had a longstanding pattern of nightly walks that nearly always passed the site.
Visitors to the nearby Stratford General Hospital often visit this garden for quiet contemplation.
Beside the Avon River
The Avon River, just across T. J. Dolan Drive, is an added attraction. John Street Dam is said to be a good spot to catch bass, perch, and trout. (The river is stocked each year for the Optimist Trout Derby). Avon River fishers should also expect the occasional catfish.
Opinions vary about eating fish caught from the Avon River, but fishing here is a pleasant way to spend a warm afternoon.