Tsuru Island Renovation

Tsuru Island will be under construction from August 2025 – November 2026.

June 17, 2025 will hold a special spot in the heart of the Gresham Japanese Garden. On this date, we received word that we are the recipient of a Travel Oregon Competitive Grant
award in the total amount, we requested, of $130,000.

This is the first time GJG sought a grant of this magnitude. Our primary driver has always been to better our community through accessible, welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy. We chose the renovation of Tsuru Island because after twelve years the Japanese garden is showing wear-andtear, especially the stone pathway. A significant portion of the grant funds will cover the cost of high-quality materials needed to enhance and expand the garden’s infrastructure. This includes:

• ADA-Compliant Pathway: Bluestone, a durable, non-slip natural stone will blanket the accessible pathway and floor of the seating areas, ensuring a safe, even walking surface, and comfortable experiences for all visitors, especially those with mobility challenges.
• Bamboo Fencing: Natural and synthetic bamboo fencing will line the perimeter of the Japanese garden to define visual boundaries for erosion control. Additional bamboo fencing will encase the entrance gate to create a barrier to after-hours access.
• Entrance Gate: A Japanese-style gabled roof will be built with an electronically controlled entrance gate and people-counting device to control access to the Japanese garden while preserving its aesthetic integrity. The gate to Tsuru Island will remain open sunrise to sunset.
• Water and Plant Enhancements: The tsukubai (a water feature associated with quiet sound) will be enhanced with large boulders, sensory plants and sound-enhancing material contributing to the space’s tranquil ambiance, elevating the power of water to wellness. The east end of the garden will be redesigned.
• Audio Accessibility Tools: Multilingual audio guides will be purchased to assist with hearing impaired or non-English speaking visitors, making guided tours accessible to a diverse audience.
• Cultural Enhancements: To complement Yozakura (cherry blossom viewing) and other evening events, solar-powered lanterns, uplights, string lights, and Take-Akari bamboo lights will be added. We plan a Fall Illumination Festival for fall 2026.

Download the complete list of recipients at: https://industry.traveloregon.com/ wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2024-CGGrant-Awards.pdf. This project is funded in part by Travel Oregon.

Tsuru Island Design Draft

1. Covered Entrance Gate: The approach to the entrance gate will be wider. The gate (Fig 1) will automatically open and close at set times, and include a device to accurately sense and count visitors.
2. The path stones have all been removed. In early 2026 the same bluestone will be reinstalled adhering to ADA specifications of flush paving joints, or no wider than 10mm.
3. A new path will be created as an alternate route to exit the garden.
4. The water basin will receive a major upgrade. The placement will change slightly. Inspiration comes from Oregon State Penitentiary’s water basin (Fig 2). Large boulders flank the basin, and there is a substantial pool of water. We can’t have koi, sorry.
5. This area in the center of the Japanese garden will get a major upgrade. The lodgepole pine tree in the center is being removed due to declining health. In its place will be a much larger planting area reducing the “plaza-like” feel. Instead, you will be able to stroll around the planting area, or sit in the azumaya and look out to a much more interesting grouping of plants.
6. New stone bridges. This is not part of the Travel Oregon grant. The rotting wooden bridges will be replaced with stone bridges.
7. An accessible covered seating area will be erected at the east end of the island close to Johnson Creek. Traditional Japanese craftsmanship will be used. The design is inspired by the machiai at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.
8. Next, yotsumi-gaki bamboo fencing will surround Tsuru Island. See next page for details on how to participate in a fence-building workshop. And, a teppo-gaki bamboo fencing will connect the entrance gate to the bridge.
9. A new seating area will replace the karesansui dry garden and will be built in 2027, as it’s not part of the Travel Oregon grant.

Update – 11/22/25

The plant material is dug up. It’s made the Garden a bit muddy, and un kept. We try to leave it presentable to our guests. There were over 60 trees and shrubs that needed to be dug; to be transplanted in another spot, or to permanently be removed from Tsuru Island. With the goal of renovating the Japanese garden to be more authentic to Japanese garden design specifications, we needed to reduce the plant palette, eliminate year-round color, and create ma.

Please be patient while we work through the different phases. This one I’d label as muddy!

Update – 11/3/25

The plant material has not been removed yet, but it is the next item to be completed. Unfortunately, Tsuru Island will feel a bit bare after removal.

You will notice the fence posts are installed on the perimter of the island. Next will be the contruction of the bamboo fencing. This should be completed by end of year.

Update – 9/16/25

The pavers have been removed and the gravel compacted. The masonry will be coming back in to compact the path more. The surface is currently a bit difficult for people in wheelchairs and mobility challenges.

The design committee has tagged over 50 shrubs and trees to be either removed completely, or for transplant.  You will notice the pink tape on the trees.