Japanese Garden | Tsuru Island | Gresham-Ebetsu Sister City Association

History

Voters Approve Bond

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

1970s History

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

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.

Garden Construction by JACL

Ed and Kaz are unloading broken basalt stone into a wheel barrow from a flat bed truck.

Reviewing the Placement of Boulders

Ed Fugi and Kaz Tamura reviewing the placement of rock for placement as part of the path.

Garden Construction by JACL

Ed and Kaz are unloading broken basalt stone into a wheel barrow from a flat bed truck.

Reviewing the Placement of Boulders

Ed Fugi and Kaz Tamura reviewing the placement of rock for placement as part of the path.

Japanese Garden Dedication

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

The Outlook's Satire

From The Outlook's Editorial regarding the downfall of the garden Read 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.

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.

Design Process

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ambleside Annex

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

Summer Cultural Series

Through a City of Gresham Cultural Grant, Gresham Japanese Garden coordinated Japanese cultural events throughout the summer.