The North Shore Garden Club was begun as a small project to commemorate Expo 86, initially primarily for residential, but with entries later added from commercial gardens. Its aim was civic beautification. A student employed under a Challenge 87 Canada/B.C. summer employment grant helped establish the structure. In 1987 two new awards were created to recognize Community Beautification and Community enrichment, and an Award of Excellence for best commercial entry was added. A spring garden category was added in 1988, and a tour of award winning gardens started in the same year. A Civic Beautification category was created in 1990, with public education evenings and Block Beautiful awards later added. Categories in 1997 included Civic Beautification, Gardens of a Residential Complex, Commercial Gardens (small and large), Best use of a Balcony, Best Use of a Patio, Award of Recognition, Residential Gardens (small and large) and Award of Excellence.