Japanese Garden Brochure

All checks should be payable to: The Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation.

All gifts qualify for deduction for income tax purposes.

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T H E S I M P S O N G A R D E N PA R K J A PA N E S E P E A C E G A R D E N P L E D G E C A R D

For more information call (419) 354-6297.

Please mail to: The Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation 1291 Conneaut Avenue Bowling Green, OH 43402

THE SIMPSON GARDEN PARK

It all started in June of 2006 when the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation formally launched perhaps the most challenging undertaking in its history: the development of the Simpson Garden Park.

The success of the Simpson Garden Park has been the result of a partnership that includes the city and its citizens. The city has been largely responsible for much of the park’s infrastructure as well as some of the larger maintenance projects. However, it is the generosity of Bowling Green residents in contributing funds to construct and care for the park that has been the key to the successful effort to create the Simpson Garden Park.

When completed, the Simpson Garden Park will comprise eight different gardens. The first of those – the Children’s Discovery Garden – opened in the fall of 2007 and an entrance garden was built in the spring of 2008.

In keeping with the master plan, a Sensory Garden will soon follow.

Japanese Peace Garden

About Fuji Kawashima

JAPANESE PEACE GARDEN Within the Simpson Garden Park, perhaps one of the most anticipated of the gardens is a Japanese Peace Garden, which will be the first in any municipality in northwest Ohio.

The basic plans for the Peace Garden have been developed by Mark J. Cyr, one of the leading designers of Japanese Gardens in the United States. Cyr’s ideas have been fine-tuned to fit a modest budget for the proposed garden.

The garden, which will comprise approximately a half-acre, will make use of the key components typical of Japanese gardens: stones, water and plants. Stones, which symbolize a sense of permanence, will be strategically placed in the garden, around ponds, the stream and bridges and elsewhere along a carefully laid out pathway.

The water source will appear to be part of the natural surroundings, emanating from a waterfall that will gently cascade into a curving stream that will empty into two separate small ponds. Lanterns will be placed along the stream and ponds.

Plants are another element of Japanese gardens, which typically comprise subtle green tones. Also some flowering trees (Japanese pines) and shrubs (Azaleas) will add a palette of color to the garden.

A gated east entry into the garden with bamboo fencing will create a feeling of enclosure.

WHY A PEACE GARDEN? In a world of cultural misunderstandings, the Japanese Peace Garden is intended to open minds to a different culture while offering visitors a place of peace and tranquility, where they will find healing, renewal and inspiration. It is in keeping with the Simpson Garden Park mission to provide a variety of gardens for the enjoyment of Bowling Green and area citizens.

The Peace Garden will honor Dr. Fujiya (Fuji) Kawashima, a widely respected professor of Asian History at Bowling Green State University who passed away in 2006.

Dr. Kawashima, a native of Japan, came to Bowling Green in 1970 to teach Asian history. He was instrumental in the establishment of the University’s Asian History Program and was working to develop a Peace Studies Program at the University at the time of his death.

An expert and scholar on the social and cultural history of Far Eastern countries, his courses acquainted hundreds of students with the rich cultural traditions and historical development of East Asia.

He was keenly interested in building bridges between America and Asia. Especially important to him was the work of the Japanese business community in Ohio and other Midwestern states. To further this interest, he organized lectures and meetings that brought together executives of Japanese companies and American business, academic and government leaders.

Financial Support Through the Simpson Garden Park campaign, funds have already been pledged for the waterfall, stream, bridge and ponds. Because of Dr. Kawashima’s efforts to promote business ties between the United States and Japan and in enhancing the economic interests of Asian owned corporations, it is hoped that a portion of the $150,000 required for creation and construction of the Japanese Peace Garden will come from corporate donations.

Dr. Kawashima’s many friends have also expressed an interest in honoring him and can do so through gifts in the form of cash or pledges earmarked for the Japanese Peace Garden over a three-year period by using the attached pledge form.