The Civic Garden Complex opened in September 1996. Barbara Grindley, a member of the Garden Club of London suggested to The City of London that a group of volunteers be recruited to be present in the building a few hours each day to allow the public to see it. Volunteers were to be called Friends of the Civic Garden Complex and were recruited from The Garden Club, London and Lambeth Horticultural Societies and the Master Gardeners of London and Middlesex.

Cheque Presentation

In 2000, Ruth Webber took over as volunteer coordinator with assistance from Joyce Chase, London Horticulture Society. They expanded opening times to include Sundays and Holidays, I :00 to 4 :00 p.m. as it was felt that more visitors would seek to visit the Complex.

In 2001, the Friends of the Civic Garden Complex undertook their first spring Plant Sale to raise money for the Biological Pest Control Program used in the Conservatory. The Volunteers continued to donate funds in support of the Program until 2003.

In 2002, Gail Dimson began to assist Ruth Webber as a volunteer coordinator and the Plant Sale became larger in scope. In 2004, the Greenhouse closure became an issue and the Volunteers became very involved with the City of London in raising funds to ensure the continuance of the Greenhouse growing operation. Monies raised from both the Spring Plant Sale and the Fall Bulb and Plant Sale now go towards the Greenhouse growing operation and Complex improvements.