ELLEN T. LESLIE BOTANICAL CLASSROOMS
Learning Lab SPONSORED
$500,000
Teaching Greenhouse SPONSORED
$250,000
Horticulture Workshop SPONSORED
$150,000
$100,000
Tree ALLée
Beargrass Creek Overlook
$1,500,000
The Beargrass Creek Overlook will be surrounded by the Woodland Garden and will provide up-close views of the tree canopy in this area. Guests will also be treated to glimpses of turtles, herons, and other wildlife gathering along Beargrass Creek.
Tree Allée SPONSORED
$250,000
Benches in the Tree Allée SPONSORED
$15,000 each
Trees in the Tree Allée
$5,000 each (8 Available)
The Tree Allée will be lined with 24 American Dream Swamp White Oak trees to provide a beautiful path leading to the Beargrass Creek Overlook.
beargrass creek pathway
Beargrass Creek Pathway SPONSORED
$250,000
Waterfall Stream SPONSORED
$100,000
Pathway Bridges SPONSORED
$15,000 each
GRAESER FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER
AND MARY LEE DUTHIE GARDEN
Plaza Benches SPONSORED
$15,000 each
Education 100
$10,000 each
The Education 100 is a group of donors who have committed $10,000 each to support the development of the Gardens. These donors will be permanently recognized on the building through an artistic installation on the columns that surround the Graeser Family Education Center.
Bus Turnaround Benches SPONSORED
$10,000 each
Plaza Benches (backless) SPONSORED
$10,000 each
Donor Wall
$5,000 – $20,000
This wall in the Graeser Family Education Center recognizes new donations to the Gardens as of June 1, 2019. Acrylic medallions representing the gift level, in descending size from largest ($20,000) to smallest ($5,000), will create a colorful tribute to those who have given in support of the development of Phase I.
JAPANESE GARDEN – under construction
Pond – Shinji-ike #7
$1,500,000
The pond is fed by the waterfall and streams and will be stocked with koi.
Tri-Arrows Aluminum Teahouse – Chashitsu
$1,000,000 SPONSORED
Small Pond – Niwa Ike
$400,000
This pond sits under the Zig-Zig Bridge and hosts a beautiful collection of Japanese Iris.
The South (Main) Gate #1
$300,000
The most elaborate gate, and the main entrance to the garden. It will include the ticket booth.
Shallow, Curving Garden Stream – Yarimizu
$300,000
The stream symbolizes eternal renewal and the flow of time, and flows throughout the Japanese Garden into the large pond.
Waterfall – Taki #4
$250,000 SPONSORED
Stock Yards Bank Summer House – Yokaze #12
$250,000 SPONSORED
Mountain Stream – Keiryū
$250,000 SPONSORED
Arched Bridge – Soribashi #18
$250,000 SPONSORED
Tea House Deck/Moon View Deck – Tsukimi-dai
$150,000 SPONSORED
Dry Landscape (Zen) Garden – Karesansui #13
$100,000
Dry landscape gardens represent water surfaces and wave motions through sand patterns.
Zig-Zag Bridge – Yatsuhashi #19
$100,000 SPONSORED
Cherry Tree Promenade – Sakura #15
$100,000 SPONSORED
Spring Lawn – Haru no shibafu
$70,000
This open space lawn boasts blooming Spring flowers, including the Cherry Tree Promenade.
Autumn Lawn – Aki no shibafu
$70,000
Separate from the Spring Lawn, this open area is most beautiful with the Fall colors of Japanese Maple and other trees.
Tea Garden – Roji #11
$50,000 SPONSORED
Autumn Grassland – Aki No Sogen #16
$50,000 SPONSORED
Island in the Pond/Lake (2) – Kojima #8
$50,000 each SPONSORED
Japanese Iris Collection – Ayame
$25,000 SPONSORED
Colony of Aquatic Plants – Suisei shokubutsu
$25,000 SPONSORED
Small Tea Garden – Roji
$25,000 SPONSORED
Pebble Beach #9
$25,000 SPONSORED
Stone Bridge (2) – Ishibashi #20
$25,000 each SPONSORED
In Stream Stepping Stones #21
$25,000 SPONSORED
Large Scale Pruned Shrubs – Okarikomi #24
$25,000 SPONSORED
Bamboo Grove #25
$25,000 SPONSORED
Stone Benches in the Japanese Garden – Koshikake ishi
$25,000 each
Natural limestone pieces will be used to create seating throughout the Japanese garden.
about the designer
The son of renowned traditional Japanese landscape designer, Kinsaku Nakane, Shiro Nakane has been following in his father’s footsteps since becoming president of Nakane Garden Research and Landscape Consultant Firm in 1995.
Having received his first lessons in the Art of Japanese gardening as a young boy, he continues to apply traditional techniques and aesthetics with a modern perspective as a landscape designer.
“The apparent admiration and esteem enjoyed by the Japanese garden throughout the world is presumably attributable to the recognition of its universal artistic merits, which transcend all racial, religious, and cultural differences.”
Shiro Nakane
GRAESER FAMILY Bonsai Garden
The Bonsai Garden has been designed to balance the traditional design of the adjacent Japanese Garden and the surrounding contemporary design of the Waterfront Botanical Gardens, weaving in design aspects from both spaces.
The intent is to create a truly unique garden that celebrates the individuality of each bonsai while also creating an experience that is distinctive to the Waterfront Botanical Gardens.
The space is divided into two areas, a winding path with small garden rooms for rest, reflection and contemplation about the artful bonsai, and a larger plaza that can be used for educational and social gatherings. The garden also includes a Bonsai House for protecting the trees during winter, daily tree manicuring, and as a space for novices to learn from bonsai experts.
VIEW MORE OF THE BONSAI GARDEN HERE
Bonsai Garden – the Graeser family
$1,000,000 SPONSORED
Bonsai Display Plaza
$500,000
The Plaza features an open, paved gathering area with roughly a dozen of the larger bonsai trees and will be used for various events including bonsai competitions. It is located adjacent to the Bonsai House.
Bonsai House – Joe and Debbie Graviss
$250,000 SPONSORED
Bonsai Pathway
$50,000 SPONSORED
This beautiful, winding path will take you on a bonsai journey through the various rooms in the garden.
The bonsai garden includes outdoor “rooms” that are designed with a thematic Interpretation of the five great elements through the use of materials, form and approach to bonsai.
CHI – Earth Room $500,000
Bench on Boulder $25,000
Boulder Planter $50,000
SUI = Water Room $500,000
Icon Wall $50,000
Driftwood and stone bench $25,000
KA = Fire Room $500,000
Fire Wall Display $50,000
Bench $25,000 SPONSORED
FU = Wind Room $500,000
Screen wall with Bonsai SPONSORED
Bench $50,000
KU = Void/Aether Room $500,000
Niwaki (center planting) $100,000
Moongate $150,000 SPONSORED
Gates
Sukiya Entry Gate $50,000
Sukiya Exit Gate $50,000
Bonsai Display on Bonsai House
$150,000
Support the Japanese Garden
Become a member of the Cherry Blossom Society with a $10,000 annual donation!
Reach out at development@waterfrontgardens.org with questions.