Learning to love The Leaf

Charleswood

I love The Leaf.

I used to question the amount of money that was spent on building it. I used to bemoan that I was too far away to enjoy it.

But now that I live in Charleswood and have a membership, my former misgivings have vanished and I love The Leaf.

If you don’t actually know what I’m talking about, The Leaf, located within Assiniboine Park, is essentially an indoor botanical garden with two different biomes (or growing climates) – tropical and Mediterranean – and a small butterfly garden. There is also a restaurant, a coffee bar with lunch and snack items, and an area that can be rented for events.

Why do I love The Leaf?

It’s a neat destination to take out-of-town guests. My parents and sister strolled around, savouring each of the many different plants, and simply enjoyed seeing something new.

It’s a warm place to go during winter, and a wonderful way to get loads of sunlight. For my husband, who loves the tropics, it’s a cheap and quick way to be reminded of his happy place.

It’s also a lovely spot to sit and write, read, walk or pray. Even with people and families enjoying the same space, I still find it incredibly peaceful and inspiring.

It’s always changing, too. The Mediterranean biome, in particular, undergoes a transformation every few weeks or months with different seasonal/thematic displays.

It’s not only beautiful to look at, but a treat for the other senses as well, whether breathing in the fragrant herbs and blooms, listening to soothing music, or feeling the mist of the giant waterfall on your face.

It’s a great date location, night or day. One time, we just sat and soaked in the tropical air. Another time, we walked and walked in endless loops, just chatting. On another occasion, we went close to sunset to get the best of both worlds and brought dessert with us to enjoy at the end. And, of course, one night, we actually went out to dinner there and then walked around for a bit.

This past Saturday, I especially enjoyed my time there, as it seemed my eyes were starved for colour. In addition to the usual vibrant greens, I was ecstatic to take in the yellows, reds, purples, oranges, and pinks of spring blossoms and their corresponding fragrances.

I can hardly wait to see the new spring display. If you decide to visit The Leaf, always be sure to check their website first, at assiniboinepark.ca, as the biomes are sometimes closed for a few days at a time while they change things over.