Visiting Tsuru Island

Tsuru Island is a ¾-acre strolling Japanese garden nestled within Gresham’s 21-acre Main City Park, just off Powell Boulevard and surrounded by Johnson Creek. This peaceful retreat is free and open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.

Originally created in the early 1970s by the Japanese American Citizens League – Gresham/Troutdale Chapter, Tsuru Island was brought back to life startaing under the leadership of retired landscaper Jim Card, who continues to serve as Garden Director.

In 2026, Tsuru Island completed a significant renovation, made possible in part by a generous grant from Travel Oregon. The transformation enhanced the garden’s authenticity through traditional Japanese design elements, carefully placed stonework, an update to the plant palette, water basin, and the entrance garden gate. The accessible strolling path invite more visitors to experience the beauty and tranquility of this special place. Read more about the renovation.

After exploring Tsuru Island, we invite you to stroll to the south end of Main City Park and discover the other garden spaces developed and maintained by the Friends of the Gresham Japanese Garden.

Reservations

Tsuru Island is not available to reserve for weddings. It is a popular setting for photography. For photo sessions involving more than six people, we kindly request an advance reservation.

 

Details

Main City Park and Tsuru Island is FREE and open daily from sunrise to sunset. This is a public garden created and maintained by dedicated volunteers. We ask that all visitors follow our rules so everyone can continue to enjoy the gem of Gresham.

  • Stay on the path
  • No riding bikes onto the island
  • No smoking
  • There is no water access to Johnson Creek.
  • Please be respectful of others enjoyment of the garden
  • Strollers are allowed
  • Dogs must be kept on a short leash and clean up after your dog
  • Food and drinks are discouraged. Anything brought in, must be taken out.

Directions

Finding Tsuru Island is quite simple. Head to Historic Downtown Gresham and enter through Main City Park off of Powell Blvd and Main Avenue.
124 S. Main Avenue
Gresham, OR 97030

Tsuru Island

Gresham Japanese Garden – Tsuru Island

View on Google Maps

 Garden Tours

Garden tours are given by the Japanese Garden’s Garden Director, Jim Card or Mary Marrs, garden docent. Tours are available for groups larger than five people and are by appointment only. Donations are appreciated.

If you need a translator, or hard of hearing please let us know. We can provide audio equipment to accommodate your request. 

 

Garden Tour

Tour Requests