If you call Whitby home or visited in your youth, you surely remember this magical place that used to grow and bloom on the grounds we stand on today. So many memories, secrets, stories, and milestones were shared here. Last month, we officially passed the torch, from one loving family to the next; from Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village to Thermëa spa village.
an old black and white photo of the cullen gardens and miniature village
an old black and white photo of the cullen gardens and miniature village
an old black and white photo of the cullen gardens and miniature village
an old black and white photo of the cullen gardens and miniature village
a collage of old black and white photos of the cullen gardens and miniature village
a collage of black and white photos of cullen gardens
a collage of old black and white photos of the cullen gardens and miniature village
a collage of old black and white photos of the cullen gardens and miniature village
The Enduring Legacy of Visionaries
Standing in what is today the spa village’s Lounge, Antoine Lagarec, lead designer for Groupe Nordik, began the celebration of Len and Connie Cullen’s vision. Antoine began: “The Cullens may not have been designers by profession, but they possessed an extraordinary vision that transcended boundaries. Their passion for plants, gardens, and the natural world was evident in every facet of Cullen Gardens, a place that truly became a living testament to their boundless imagination.”
“When you visited Cullen Gardens, you were transported to a world where nature and artistry converged seamlessly. The symphony of colours, the fragrance of blooms, and the serenity of the surroundings were a testament to Len’s unwavering commitment to creating an oasis. As a designer at Groupe Nordik, I can’t help but marvel at the artistry that went into the creation of this paradise.”
Antoine shared: “As we designed Thermëa spa village, we tried to pay homage to the spirit of Len and Connie’s vision—a vision that has enriched the lives of countless individuals who have had the privilege of experiencing Cullen Gardens.” Earlier in the day, as Antoine chatted with Chris, an artisan working at the front desk, they reminisced about the building of the village, when they invited locals to come take plants from the gardens and bring them home. The Cullens’ garden still grows, elsewhere. Furthermore, Antoine explained how original stones from the grounds of Cullen Gardens found a new home in the spa village. They were repurposed and can now be found in Källa and in the brick of the lounge and main staircase. Chris told Antoine, “Every day, someone comes in and mentions that they used to visit when they were young or they talk about the wedding they had here, and how they came back to the gardens for anniversaries, and can now continue to do so, at the spa.”
The lead designer’s speech finished on this note: “The Cullen’s legacy extends beyond the physical boundaries of Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village. We are reminded that a garden has the power to touch the hearts and souls of all who enter, to inspire a sense of wonder, and to provide a respite from the pressures of our daily lives.”
A Dreamer’s Journey: A Son’s Reflections
Taking the makeshift stage next: Mark Cullen, Len and Connie’s son. Although Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village was an incredible endeavour, Mark aims to tell us more about the man behind it all today.
“In the beginning, there was a 22-year-old dreamer” he begins. Len Cullen was a serial entrepreneur and a dreamer. He built a nursery farm, and then a chain of retail centres, followed by a wholesale division and a swimming pool division. His son tells us he even experimented with the snowmobile business. “Some ideas grew and were successful and some, not so much.”
Mark explained how the family was initially unaware of the grandeur of Len’s vision. “When I joined Dad in the business in 1978, he had an image in his mind of a glorious garden, peppered with miniature buildings that would tell the story of Canadian history as he understood it.” Len’s children and wife witnessed, like all of us, the creation of the largest tourist attraction between Toronto and Montreal.
After sharing anecdotes of farmhands (Charlie Chambers seemed like quite the character) and more of Len’s entrepreneurial endeavours in Markham, Mark went on: “Growing up with Dad was an experience. It’s not always easy having a dreamer and a driver for a dad, but all five of us siblings benefitted from his unique qualities and advice.”
Turning to Martin Paquette, CEO and Co-Founder of Groupe Nordik, dreamer of Thermëa spa village, Mark explained how his father often said “I can hire anyone to do half a job” and how Mark believes his dad would be proud of what has been done here. “Our dad had an incredible imagination, but I don’t think he could’ve imagined what Martin made—and the tribute they’ve left behind."
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Following her brother’s speech and joking about him stealing her thunder, Sue Cullen had nothing to worry about when it came to entertaining all those present with tales of the Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village.
She painted a vivid picture of what the gardens used to be, taking attendees on an imaginary walkthrough. Whether you had ever set foot in the gardens or not, you could picture it clear as day. From animatronics and mini-golf to a temperamental train, Halloween magic, fireworks and Holiday festivals of lights, Sue recounted 25 years of running a place that brought joy and happiness to countless visitors. She shared stories about Granny’s gift shop and continued the tales of the farmhand Charlie, who famously doubted Len’s grand scheme and whose ghost was rumoured to still roam the gardens. She remembered the staff who made it all possible; only 150 of them, but “they kept us going,” she said.
Opening the book she had been carrying all evening, Sue took a moment to read an excerpt from Len Cullen’s second book “Tales of a Gardener”. The passage is titled “The Challenge of the Ordinary”:
“Most of us lead ordinary lives. We go to work or raise a family. We do all kinds of ordinary things. For instance, at Cullen Gardens, we mow lawns, trim hedges, prune roses, plant bulbs, cut flowers and greet people at the entrance. We set tables, serve people, prepare food, make sales, buy products, sell products, vacuum floors, empty garbage cans, clean washrooms, wash windows, rake leaves, irrigate lawns, fertilize trees, write cheques, do the banking, fill out government forms, repair equipment, and plow snow. The list is endless, but out of all these ordinary things, comes the satisfaction of knowing success, stability and the meaning to life.
[…]
We all just pass this way once, and most of us leave our mark on only a small circle of family and friends. The nice thing about it is that most of the people I know will leave this world a little better place than when they came into it. This can be said of our staff at both Cullen Garden and Weall & Cullen Nurseries. I would love to share all the letters I receive from customers about our staff. Close analysis determines that the success of any venture depends to a very large measure on the “people in the ranks” who make each day just a little better than the day before through their dedication to doing an excellent job—whether operating a backhoe, a computer or cash register. Gardening, selling, buying and banking are all individual talents which need to be—and are—brought together to make the whole operate efficiently and smoothly day, after day, after day.
[…]
I call it the courage of the ordinary. We form friendships with people with whom we share common interests. Out of the vast diversity of the population, we find that special group of friends in those who do the same kind of work we do, or who are on the same social scale; who live in the same community, or whose kids play on the same ball or hockey team as ours; who might shop in the same stores, have families of the same age, or worship in the same churches. From all these relationships, we are able to build healthy minds and bodies, and draw strength and courage that create bonds of friendship which often last a life-time.”
Standing in what used to be her family’s gardens, Sue reminded us how the “courage of the ordinary” shaped the success of ventures like Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village and now, would continue to do the same for Thermëa spa village.
A Word From the Mayor
Mayor Elizabeth Roy spoke for us all when she honoured the Cullen family’s legacy. Thermëa, she noted, is an escape to reconnect with nature, friends, and family—just like the gardens were for so many years. The mayor recognized the Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village’s contribution to “putting Whitby on the map” and found joy in seeing the vision and aspiration live on through Thermëa spa village. “It’s inspiring to see the dream and vision live on,” she said. Before stepping off the stage, she thanked the Cullen family for their incredible contribution to Whitby and Martin Paquette for keeping the dream alive.
It Takes a Village
Stepping away from the past and into the present, Amanda McLaren, the spa village’s Marketing Manager, recognized and celebrated the spa’s one-year anniversary. She emphasized the importance of teamwork, acknowledging all the incredible artisans in the room who had joined us this evening. “We’re so excited about the future, but we want to take the time to thank everyone who contributed to shaping the spa into what it is today.”
Paula Desjardins, General Manager of Thermëa spa village, added that when hiring artisans, she always looks for care above skills. “You can teach a lot, but you can’t teach that.”
Closing a wonderful evening full of stories, emotions and recollections was then up to her. Paula did so effortlessly by opening a window into the world of the spa village where we stay “connected to the Earth and each other” she explained.
Paula drew parallels between the family’s goals at Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village: “It’s incredible how what the family was doing then and what we do today have the same goal: care and connection and community.” Her reflections and final words of the evening celebrated the transfer of land from one loving family to another.
artisans listening at the cullen cocktail
attendees chatting at the cullen gardens cocktail event
attendees chatting at the cullen gardens cocktail event
attendees chatting at the cullen gardens cocktail event
attendees chatting at the cullen gardens cocktail event
A Daily Reminder of Shared Dreams
As all present—Sue, Peter, Mark, Nora and Tom Cullen, Thermëa spa village’s artisans, corporate office employees and esteemed guests—took over the Lounge to chat, laugh and reminisce, a new chapter officially began. To forever remember this evening and what came before us, two memorial shovels, used by Len himself, along with plaques now stand proudly at the village’s entrance and in the artisans’ corridor. They serve as tangible reminders of the dream we shared with Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village. The legacy of the Cullen family lives on in the tranquil retreat of Thermëa spa village, connecting past and present in a way we believe they can all be proud of.
