The Botanical Gardens

Nestled below the verdant Morne Bruce hill, and located about 50 meters from the Roseau River, is the 40-acre Botanic Gardens of Dominica. This area of undulating land is the largest tract of semi-open space in the city of Roseau. With an elevation of about 66 ft above sea level, the Botanic Gardens receives approximately 85 inches of rainfall annually, with favorable conditions for the growing of a wide variety of tropical plants.

The "Gardens," as it is popularly known, is situated on land formally cultivated in sugarcane. The idea of establishing the Roseau Botanic Gardens was conceived in 1889 by the British Crown Government. It wanted to encourage the supply of properly propagated seedlings of varied tropical crops to the island farmers. The Government bought the site from William Davies, then owner of Bath Estate, and the planning and planting of the Gardens began in 1890.

The Botanic Gardens has survived several tropical storms and hurricanes, including hurricane David in 1979, which, in eight hours, transformed those once magnificent grounds into a junkyard of wind-thrown trees, tree limbs and twigs. Evidence of David's wrath may still be seen in the remains of a large bus lying crushed beneath the weight of a massive Baobab Tree.

In spite of these setbacks, the Gardens still provide the only open space in the city for the citizens and visitors to enjoy. It continues to be the idyllic setting for cricket matches, national parades and cultural celebrations, religious open air ceremonies and recreational activities. And its beauty and serenity still mark it as one of the gems of the Caribbean.