
Voters Approve Bond
In 1969, voters approved a $900,000 bond to build Main Park, re-route Johnson Creek, and widen Powell Blvd.Read more


1970s History
Efforts to build a Japanese garden in Gresham began in the early 1970's after Johnson Creek was rerouted.Read more


Original Bridge Construction
We don't have much history, but we do know that the bridge was engineered and components were built offsite and brought to the garden for assembly.Read more


Garden Construction by JACL
Ed and Kaz are unloading broken basalt stone into a wheel barrow from a flat bed truck.Read more


Reviewing the Placement of Boulders
Ed Fugi and Kaz Tamura reviewing the placement of rock for placement as part of the path.Read more


Garden Construction by JACL
Ed and Kaz are unloading broken basalt stone into a wheel barrow from a flat bed truck.Read more


Reviewing the Placement of Boulders
Ed Fugi and Kaz Tamura reviewing the placement of rock for placement as part of the path.Read more


Japanese Garden Dedication
Peace. Tranquility. Longevity. These were the themes of the Japanese Garden in Gresham Main Park on September 2, 1975Read more



Japanese Garden Vandalized
Kaz Tamura surveying the garden after recent vandalism."The Sister City didn't mean to ignore the existing garden," said Debbie Sagen, assist. to the Gresham city manager.
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Revitalization of the Garden
Tomiko Takeuchi, first cousin to Shiro Takeuchi, an original JACL committee member, contacted Jim Card, a retired professional landscaper to "look" at the garden with her.Read more


Design Process
For Jim Card to develop the garden's master plan, he observed erosion issues that had affected the island for years.Read more


Construction
The construction of the revitalized Japanese Garden took all of 2013 under the direction of Jim Card and the approval from the City of Gresham.Read more


Garden Rebirth
In the Spring of 2014 the Garden was ready to be unveiled. Over 8000 hours was dedicated in making this unforseen challenge come to fruition.Read more


Bridge Completed
For design inspiration, in 2013, Card visited the bridge at the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden in Spokane, Washington. The new Tsuru Island bridge is wider and twice as long.Read more


Azumaya
Early in the design process for the Garden, we determined that there would be a central area for small meetings, entertainment, displays and just relaxing.Read more


Ebetsu Plaza Dedication
For years no one could figure out what to do with a plot of land in Main City Park. The space was a crucial area to develop, right alongside the Springwater Corridor Trail and a few steps away from Tsuru Island Japanese Garden.Read more


10 Trees in 10 Parks for 10 Years
The Garden celebrated Arbor Month April 5th. The city is its 10th years as a Tree City USA.Read more


Touchstone Paver Fundraiser
Those behind Ebetsu Plaza have another way to bring the community together, and raise needed funds for it and the Japanese Garden.Read more


Community Enhancement Grant
In June 2019, GJG submitted a grant for $7,500 to establish an Exploratory Program for students with special needs to gain job skills in the Floriculture industry.Read more


Resource Center
In early 2020, the Resource Center received a facelift. Commonly called "the shoebox" is one of the city's buildings provided to the Gresham Japanese Garden. It was in need of a facelift.Read more


Dancing Cranes Joins Ebetsu Plaza
The idea of this sculpture was a pipe dream formed by Jim Card and Bill Peterson after looking at pictures and a video of these beautiful cranes in the wild.ontentRead more


Ambleside Annex
Ambleside Annex is nearly completed. The large trees and plants were transplanted from the 1900s housing area called "Ambleside".Read more
