OWNERS

Erik has worked at the family business from a young age, starting out planting pansies but quickly moving on to building greenhouses and expanding the property. In 2000, he and his wife Birgit officially took over the business from Erik’s parents Peter and Carina.

In 2025 Erik and Birgit stepped back from the business and their son Nicolai took over as CEO. You might see Erik maintaining bedding plants in the spring or Birgit walking their dogs - Mabel and Sara - around the property. Erik’s favorite plant is wisteria and Birgit’s is rose of Sharon.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

A Fanshawe Horticulture graduate, He has rounded out his plant knowledge as a Fanshawe student gardener and as a nursery worker at another local greenhouse. Not to mention helping out at Parkway since childhood!

Nicolai stepped into the position as CEO in 2025 upon completing his Degree in Commerce at Fanshawe College. He oversees the day to day operations of Parkway. He is the third generation to run the business which ensures Parkway will be around for a very long time. Nicolai's favorite plant is rhododendron.  

NURSERY MANAGER

Evan developed his interest in horticulture in High school where they offered courses such as landscape design and construction, plant ID, and indoor plants. He acquired a Diploma in Horticulture from Fanshawe college because of this interest.

Evan has worked at Parkway for 3 years and in his time with us has been in many different departments such as perennials, cash, nursery and even Christmas trees. You can now find him in amongst the Trees and shrubs as the new Head of the Nursery department. Evan's favourite plant is the Hydrangea.

INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER

Lynne has worked at Parkway for 21 years but began her horticulture career working in garden centres in British Columbia. She oversees daily operations, keeps the store organized and the staff motivated.

Besides keeping up with the business side of things, purchasing products and communicating with suppliers, she is always ready to help water plants, assist customers and work the cash register. She has amassed a wealth of plant knowledge and is able to offer great advice! Her favourite plants are hellebores as they are a sure sign of spring.

TROPICAL DEPARTMENT

Diane is the succulent guru. With over 20 years of experience at Parkway alone, she’s demonstrated her skills teaching plant identification at Fanshawe College, specializing in tropical and succulent ID.

You will find her watering and caring for plants or assisting customers. She is passionate about making sure customers bring home the right plant for them, not just what’s trending. Diane has a keen eye for design and often puts together beautiful tropical and succulent arrangements. Her favourite plants are succulents -- she can't choose just one!

PLANTER DESIGN & POTTING

With over 46 years at Parkway, Glenda is one of our most seasoned employees! With a special interest in annuals, tropicals and succulents, you will often find her stationed at the potting bench creating beautiful custom planters. Glenda has a keen eye for arranging plants to create exciting combinations for seasonal planters and tropical centerpieces.

With a lifetime of horticultural experience, Glenda is also our go-to staff member when it comes to helping identify the causes of sick or struggling plants. Her favourite plant is the colourful Nanouk tradescantia. 

MARKETING, HEAD CASHIER & ASSISTANT TO THE INTERIM GM

Erica has been at Parkway for 3 years. She has been the smiling face at the checkout desk ,keeping the department running smoothly and providing support to the many wonderful seasonal workers who have joined us over the years. Erica has over 10 years of experience in customer service all while raising her 3 children.

Erica has taken on additional roles such as being a valued assistant to the interim General Manager and is an integral part of the marketing department by contributing to our social media and event planning. She is always curious to learn about new plants and how to care for them.

LANDSCAPE DEPARTMENT GENERAL MANAGER

Daniel joined the Parkway family in September of 2024. With a background in management he has taken on the position of the Landscape Dept GM with enthusiasm. With an experienced crew, they are ready to assist with any gardening needs.

Starting at the age 16, Daniel started his own Landscape Company. Moving on to hardscaping with his Father's company, he eventually took over as Foreman of the Hardscape crew. With an experienced crew, they are ready to assist with any gardening needs. His favourite type of plant are Cacti as they are low maintenance.

MARKETING & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Emily has been at Parkway for 4 years. Starting as a seasonal summer student we were very happy to have Emily work with us throughout her school terms while getting her Bachelor of Science in Food & Nutrition. She will be attending Teachers College in the fall at Western and we are pleased to be able to keep her with us part time.

Emily helps run our marketing department by being one of the main contributors to social media as well as be instrumental in the planning of events. Emily and her partner also adopted Fauna (Flora's sister) as greenhouse life was not suitable for her. We know she has a happy life now. Emily's favourite plant is the marble queen Pothos.

PLANT CARE & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Our go-to staff member for tough and in depth plant questions! Mary Anne is a fount of knowledge and is always happy to share what she’s learned. She is a graduate of Fanshawe’s horticulture tech program and one of the first graduates of Niagara College’s Commercial Cannabis Production program. Her favourite plants are roses and she grows a wide variety in her garden.

GENERAL MANAGER

A graduate of Fanshawe’s Horticulture program Nicole worked as a student gardener where she continued to learn while taking care of the many specimen plants at the college. Training for a few years, she has taken over as General Manager of the Garden Centre.

At Parkway, Nicole is always ready to help out in just about every department with a special interest in perennials and tropicals. Nicole’s favourite plants are philodendrons and she has collected quite a few varieties!

PEST CONTROL & CUSTOMER SERVICE

A former barn cat, she's lucked out and will spend the rest of her days roaming the greenhouse and being well taken care of. She enjoys sleeping, exploring and greeting visitors. She has also been known to startle the occasional dog. 

She is constantly doted on by greenhouse staff, whom she has trained very well.. Spunky, curious and feisty, Flora is our greenhouse ambassador and our social media darling! Come in to meet her.

PERENNIAL DEPARTMENT HEAD

Jeff has come to us from Fanshawe College where he taught Horticulture for over 18 years. His classes included Plant science, Greenhouse production and landscape. Before teaching Jeff worked at John Peets Landscaping as a Designer then moved into Landscape construction. Married with 3 children, Jeff is involved in a number of volunteer positions one of which was helping create a memorial garden for the Afzaal family.

With his extensive horticultural knowledge, we are pleased to have him take over the Perennial department. Jeff's favourite plant is the Gingko because it is one of the oldest living tree species in the world, around before Dinosaurs roamed the Earth!

PERENNIAL DEPARTMENT

Peter has been at Parkway for 8 years. He spent much of his career as a Graphic Designer before joining the Parkway family. Peter has been involved in all aspects of perennial production from bare root, seed varieties and rooted plugs. His knowledge of perennials make him a valuable source of information. He has stepped back from full time work for a much deserved rest but still finds time to work with us in the spring and at Christmas. You can see where the Graphic design background is so valuable as Peter is well known for creating magnificent winter arrangements that are always in high demand. His favourite plant is Lathryus vernus or the Spring Pea plant.

TROPICAL DEPARTMENT HEAD

Phyllis is a graduate of Fanshawe's Horticulture program. She has worked at Parkway for over 8 years and came to us as a Co-op student from the College. During her time with us, Phyllis has worked in many departments and has gained a wealth of knowledge. She was also instrumental in developing our Seasonal design department.

Phyllis found her place in our tropical department where she is involved with procuring unique plants year round as well as caring and maintaining them. You will often find her at our Potting bar helping customers planting or repotting and giving valuable advice. Phyllis's favourite plant is a Stromanthe triostar.

Magnolia Boutique Manager

Anne-Marie brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience to our team, with a dedicated focus on the fashion retail sector for the past decade.

Her journey began with an innovative fashion truck, where she showcased her unique style and creativity, captivating customers with her curated selections. After successfully running her own business, she joined us in March 2020, right at the onset of the COVID pandemic. Since then, her keen eye for current fashion trends, combined with her unwavering commitment to understanding and responding to our customers' needs, has been pivotal in establishing Magnolia as the go-to boutique for stylish and sought-after fashion pieces. Anne-Marie's favourite flower is a Calla Lily

PLANT PROCUREMENT

Another long standing member of the Parkway family, Liz has worked here for over 37 years! With a diploma in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Guelph, she has had many roles over the decades, including head grower. Liz currently oversees plant procurement. She’s responsible for determining demand for the season and ordering in seeds, cuttings and plugs to be planted and grown at Parkway.

Liz is especially knowledgeable about growing annuals and veggies. Her favourite plants are Shasta Daisies. 

HEAD GROWER

Another graduate of the Fanshawe Horticulture Technician program,  At Parkway, Dylan puts his teachings into practice as head grower, responsible for planning, propagating, growing and caring for our extensive array of herbs, veggies and annuals. Dylan is always ready with expert advice! His favourite plant is lavender. 

ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD GROWER

Tamsyn embarked on her journey at Parkway in the nursery department as a student, acquiring knowledge in Nursery, Annuals, and Perennials. She is a graduate of Fanshawe College's Horticulture Technician program and was on the Presidents Honour roll. She has been part of the Parkway family for over 5 years.

Tamsyn is excited to embrace her new role as an Assistant to the Head Grower. where she is learning all aspects of annual production including planning, propagation, pest management, and many other vital tasks to ensure our crops are healthy and of premium quality. Her favorite plant is Basil.

OFFICE ADMIN

Kim has been at Parkway for 8 years. You've probably seen her smiling face as she helps out at cash or around the property. Kim has worked in a number of our departments over the years such as Cash, Landscape Office Admin and Customer Service. She is always happy to help our visitors with any gardening questions they may have. Her favourite flower is Delft Blue Hyacinth.