Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Gardens originally setup at the bottom of the zoo have been relocated in the Western Springs Park. They are bigger and better and feature amenities the public can use: a stream with a stone bridge, a fresh water pond and a tea pavilion for a relaxed seating by the water. The architectural features, rock placements, choice of materials and plants are heavily influenced by the Japanese. Indeed the architect who designed the original garden was involved again in this project and travelled to supervise construction while well over 80 years of age. Japanese carpenters were brought it to build the entrance gates in a traditional manner