Tree Collections

These photos were taken from a moving bus in the late afternoon, as we made our way through the Riverview grounds. Sorry they aren't more clear.

Spread over Riverview's 244 acres, the tree collection is the second oldest collection in Canada - the first being the Experimental Farm in Ottawa. This is also one of the few places where people can see mature versions of different species of trees because the trees were allowed to grow in open spaces.

From 1917 to 2000, the trees were tended by three head gardeners: Jack Renton (1917-1947), Joe Hancock (1947-1980) and Bob Elsdon (1980-2000). The current day arboretum is the legacy of these dedicated men and the many patients who assisted them over the years. 

“John Davidson started his work there almost a century ago. So many trees are in beautiful mature form that you generally won’t find. Usually ornamental trees have been cut back or trimmed; in Riverview, they’ve been left. After John Davidson left, it’s almost like a miracle happened. Gardeners who came to work on the land stayed for a long time and treated it like a life’s work.” 

Val Adolph, Director Riverview Volunteer Association, 1990-94 and author of The Riverview Lands: Western Canada’s First Botanical Garden

Volunteers with the Burke Mountain Naturalists and the Riverview Horticultural Society restored Finnie's Garden in early 2000. It is a 2.5-acre garden high on the hill and often features in the work of local artists. 

The research efforts at Riverview moved under the umbrella of the BC Mental Health and Addiction Research Institute in 2008. Located on the campus of BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre in Vancouver, the new translational research function brings together researchers working in the field of mental health and addictions, encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange. This new facility builds on the research legacy established at Riverview, with the promise of improving our understanding and treatment of mental disorders.

Smaller, more home-like psychiatric facilities are being developed around the province in order to replace Riverview's outdated buildings. There are new facilities in the Lower Mainland, on Vancouver Island, in the Interior and in the north. Once completed, there will be close to 500 beds in the Lower Mainland and 415 beds in facilities around the province. This is according to the 2008 Riverview Redevelopment Project.

Gone are the dorm style wards seen at institutes such as Riverview. Now the facilities provide patients with private rooms and more home-like environment. Patients can participate in cooking, cleaning and other daily living activities. These facilities have strong links to the communities where they are located, making it easier for patients to live independently and re-integrate into the community.

The provincial agency, Accommodation and Real Estate Services (ARES) - formerly known as the British Columbia Building Corporation (BCBC) - owns and operates the Riverview lands. Once the health authorities have completed their planning and determined their facility needs and locations, ARES will be in a position to determine the long-term implications for the Riverview. (The report I am getting information from is a few years old and I will do more research when I am finished with the PDF.)

Thanks for the PDF, Riverview, A Legacy of Care and Compassion for the above information.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Karen Magill

Fighting for Riverview

When the 1900's began, the province of British Columbia built an asylum to care of its mentally ill. Now, a century later, the asylum was closing and the care for the mentally ill was taken over by the community. However, Riverview's story was not over yet.

The New Mental Health Plan, which the province released in 1998, called for the continued shift for mental health care from Riverview to the community. 

Meanwhile, the debate on what to do with Riverview continued. While the province continued to close buildings, people sought a way to preserve the history of the buildings and the lands.

The Burke Mountain Naturalists, the Riverview Horticultural Society and the BC Schizophrenic Society worked together to gather 22,000 signatures on petitions calling for protection of the Riverview lands. These petitions were presented to the BC Legislature in May of 2000 by Coquitlam MLA, John Cassmore.

The fight didn't stop there. In 2001, the Burke Mountain Naturalists called on three local municipalities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody) to pass resolutions calling for the preservation of the entire Riverview site and a strong continuing presence in the provision of mental health services. They were successful. The Riverview Nature Heritage Stewardship Group was formed - now Accommodation and Real Estate Services - as a forum for consulting with stakeholders on land use issues.

In 2001, the  PHSA - Provincial Health Services Authority - was established. It is one of six health authorities in BC, the other five are regional health authorities.

PHSA operates agencies such as BC Children’s Hospital, BC Transplant and the BC Cancer Agency, as well as specialized provincial health services. One of its agencies is BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, which provides specialized mental health services including the Adult Tertiary Psychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry programs at Riverview Hospital.

Here's a look at the goings on at Riverview at the beginning of the 21st century.

The introduction of new medications have a dramatic effect on mental health care. In addition to treating positive symptoms and minimizing side effects, many of the drugs improve cognitive function.

Riverview offers three core programs:
Adult Tertiary Redevelopment, Adult Residential Transfer and Geriatric Psychiatry.

• Riverview research projects: 47
• Riverview staff: 1,800
• Hospital budget: $106 million
• Total patients: 662
• Total admissions: 229
• Discharges: 164

Thanks to the PDF, Riverview, A Legacy of Care and Compassion for the above information.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Karen Magill

Preserving the Grounds

The Burke Mountain Naturalist Society is a group of 300 community members in the Tri-Cities area that works to introduce the public to Riverview’s natural beauty and ecological values. Formed in 1993, this group led tours of the ground on Riverview, took part in TreeFest each year, created brochures for Riverview's natural habitat and advocated for the protection of Riverview's lands. Many of the photos and paintings of Riverview's landscape, which have been featured at art shows, were created by members of the society.

“The natural values of Riverview are found wherever trees have been planted, grassy meadows established or streams allowed to flow, i.e., wherever the forces of nature have been allowed to dominate. Over 80 species of birds have been identified at Riverview. They utilize both native and non-native trees as a food sources, as nest areas or roost sites. The extensive open meadows and grassy fields of Riverview provide excellent habitat for field mice and meadow voles. In turn, these small creatures attract birds of prey such as owls and hawks. Open streams and wetlands attract some waterfowl as well as great blue herons.” 

From The Riverview Hospital Site: Respecting its Past, Realizing its Future Burke Mountain Naturalists, August 2004

In 1996, the Colony Farm Park Association was formed. The Burke Mountain Naturalists, Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, Douglas College Institute of Urban Ecology and FarmFolk/CityFolk united to manage Colony Farm Regional Park in partnership with Metro Vancouver.

These groups have worked together to plan and implement wildlife enhancement projects. They've set up a community garden, organize community events and improved the trail system to provide greater access to people who use mobility aids. The Colony Farm Park Association organizes an annual heron survey, offers public walks in the park and hosts events such as Earth Day Celebrations. One day, I want to get out there and visit this important piece of lower mainland history.

In the late 1990's, Riverview played an important part in research and education. It was a major teaching hospital. 

The Office of Research was established in 1996. Their aim was to support, coordinate and promote research activities at the hospital. Riverview continued to be a training ground for students from many disciplines.

“No one in western Canada does more than Riverview in providing real clinical experience for post-secondary students preparing for careers that will see them dealing with people who have a mental illness. Among future professionals receiving hands-on instruction from RVH staff are: nurses, physicians, social workers, pharmacists, psychologists, dietitians and physical, occupational and recreational therapists. The number of student training hours: more than 45,000, plus 35,000 hours of in-service training for staff.”

From 1999-2000 Riverview Hospital Annual Report

Thanks to the PDF, Riverview, A Legacy of Care and Compassion for the above information.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Karen Magill