Street Address:
1325 Aida Place
St. Paul, MN 55103
Directions:
Midway Parkway and Kaufman Drive (north of the Conservatory, in Como Park)
Phone Number:
651 489-0868
Website: Ordway Japanese Garden
Run by:
St. Paul Parks and Recreation
Date Established:
1972, re-opened 1992
Size:
1 acre
Designer:
Masami Matsuda
Cost:
Nominal admission fee (entered through the Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory in Como Park )
Peak Season:
Summer
Extras:
Weddings can be scheduled in the garden
Restrooms - in the Conservatory
Picnicking - in surrounding Como Park
Free zoo - withinin surrounding Como Park
Tea ceremony attendance is possible by reservation
Comments:
This garden was constructed as a memorial to Charlotte Ordway by her children after five years of planning. The design, created by the Japanese designer, Matsami Matsuda, ninth generation in a line of Japanese garden designers, was begun in 1979. He designed a Sanui-style garden, denoting a mountain and water landscape. There is a large pond at the center of the garden, which can be crossed using several bridges. There is a symbolic "tortoise" island in the pond which is home to trained and trimmed pine trees. A waterfall spills into the pond and is considered the heart of the garden. Besides requisite rocks, vegetation and water, this garden also contains beautiful, carved stone lanterns, bamboo fences, gates and edgings and an elegant tea house, at which traditional tea ceremonies are performed. Varying textures and shades of green with occasional blossoming plants typify the vegetation found in Japanese gardens. Visitors are offered tranquility and opportunity for meditation. |
