Bronze Plaque rededication to celebrate rehabilitation legacy at RBG Rock Garden

Representatives from the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA), the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) and industry leaders gathered today at the RBG Rock Garden in Hamilton to rededicate the OSSGA Bronze Plaque Award, recognizing one of Ontario’s most notable examples of aggregate site rehabilitation.

Established in 1975, the Bronze Plaque Award is OSSGA’s highest environmental honour, recognizing former pits and quarries that have been transformed into outstanding examples of rehabilitation, environmental stewardship and community use. Originally a gravel pit, the Rock Garden received the award in 1976 and has since evolved into one of Canada’s most celebrated horticultural destinations.

Today’s ceremony celebrates the site’s enduring legacy and highlights how responsible rehabilitation can transform temporary extraction sites into lasting environmental, recreational and community assets. A new plaque is being installed within the Rock Garden to reflect changes and renovations made to the site over the decades.

Following the rededication ceremony, guests participated in a guided tour of the Rock Garden and learn more about the site’s history, restoration and continuing role as a destination for education, recreation and conservation.

As Ontario continues to grow and the demand for aggregate increases, the Rock Garden stands as a lasting reminder of how rehabilitation can transform former extraction sites into valued community spaces that provide environmental and social benefits for generations.