International Friendship Garden & Golden Tree.
In 2008, the grassy knoll in front of the Clearbrook Library, where spring daffodils and about a dozen conifers once grew, was replaced by Abbotsford’s Cultural Gateway and International Friendship Garden. One third of the $1.5 million project was funded by the provincial government as part of BC Spirit Squares, an initiative which devoted partial funds to the creation of outdoor and public meeting spaces in honour of BC’s 150th anniversary.
The International Friendship Garden idea came from Abbotsford’s Sister-city Committee and was designed to echo the style of a Japanese garden, as a way to commemorate Abbotsford’s cultural relationship with its sister city, Fukagawa. Since 1998, Abbotsford and Fukagawa have cultivated a series of friendly exchanges which include sending delegates between cities every few years...
In 2015 a Golden Memorial Tree was unveiled and added to the garden, memorializing 3 woman whom died in a tragic accident on their way to work. The 22 foot high sculpture, a replica of an apple tree, was designed by Christina and Dean Lauzé, married artists whom live in nearby Mission.
The following is borrowed from the Goldentree.ca website that explains the symbolism behind the Golden Tree.
"The Tree of Life
Trees are beautiful. They grow food, provide shelter and medicine, create oxygen, and are the longest living organisms on earth. Thus, the tree (or Tree of Life) is an important symbol in nearly every culture. It is a powerful metaphor for abundance, growth and rebirth, and for the cyclical nature of life. It is nourishing, enduring and inspiring. It anchors ground to sky and represents the connection between Earth and Heaven. As such, it is a globally revered symbol of earthly sustenance and personal transformation. It is also representative of unity, community and diversity, making it an appropriate symbol to represent the Farmworkers of Canada.
The Female Trinity
The trunk of the tree twists into the figures of three women, forming what is known as a “female trinity”. The female trinity represents the cycle of life, death and rebirth. This triple aspect of womanhood comes in many forms and is an ancient and highly revered concept both historically and cross-culturally.
The female trinity is depicted in this monument as daughter, mother and matriarch. Each figure represents a different stage of life to symbolize evolving aspects of the female experience. The first woman is the youngest and depicts the feminine attributes of grace, love and beauty; the second woman represents growth, strength and vitality; while the third depicts wisdom, maturity and harmony. As the tree spirals upward, the figures change and evolve. Simultaneously united and distinct, these figures symbolize the reciprocal growth of the individual and their community.
The use of this symbolism is intended not only to commemorate the three women whose lives were so tragically lost, but also to pay tribute to the Farmworkers who help to feed and nurture the society that depends on their efforts.
Gold
Valuable and symbolically significant across the world, gold is a precious metal that denotes spiritual growth, as well as the human quest for eternity and perfection. Thus, gold is symbolic of self-purification and the transition of a soul. It is also thought to represent such attributes as life, light and providence. In the context of the Golden Tree monument, the gold leafed limbs of the figures are meant to indicate that they are reaching toward individual and social ideals."
In order to Log this cache:
Post a picture (added to your log) of yourself in front of the pond with the tree behind you while holding up your GPSr or if you are taking a picture with your GPSr / device, hold up something in your hand that is geocaching related or a set of keys. By doing so you are demonstrating this picture is not a previously taken tourist picture but you are here specifically for the geoacaching virtual!
IF YOU PREFER NOT posting a selfie you may send me a picture of the branch of the tree sticking out of the information board just to the East of the actual tree OR if you do not have a way to take a photograph you can tell me HOW MANY LEAVES are on that branch sticking out of the information board.
You can log the find right away and do not have to wait for me to approve it, however if you have not met the requirements of this virtual your log will be deleted.
I hope you enjoyed visiting - the tree is especially glorious on a sunny day!
Opening Hours
Monday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.