Templin Gardens

Templin Gardens. . Tucked quietly in the heart of downtown Fergus and perched on the edge of the gorge, you will find Templin Gardens. Templin Gardens was commissioned in the late 1920s by J.C.Templin who was the editor of the Fergus News Record. The loving gesture was a gift to his wife and ultimately to all who have had the pleasure of visiting here., The Gardens began as a vacant lot on the south side of St Andrew St and took nearly 10 years to construct. Due to the Depression, local skilled labour was available, Using stone from the nearby Gow limestone quarry, they gave Templin Gardens the distinctive mark of Scottish stone masons from a bygone era., Templin Gardens grew in size and stature from its humble beginnings. The entrance was directly from St Andrew St through an elaborate wrought iron gate. There were green lawns, benches, meandering flagstone walkways, birdhouses, bird baths, a sundial, arbours, and a wide assortment of flowers and trees. A feature of the gardens was a fish pond with a statue of Pan with water falling over a waterfall and into the gorge. The stone stairway to the river's edge afforded a breathtaking view of the rapids and gorge., Sadly, over time the Gardens fell into disrepair and a portion of the property was sold. Thankfully, a restoration project initiated by the Fergus Chamber of Commerce took place in the 1970s and the lower level of the original garden was restored. What remains today gives us a glimpse of its original size and grandeur, but its beauty and charm remain., The Fergus Horticultural Society volunteers maintain and Gardens.