Monday, September 22, 2014

Japanese Gardens celebrate 25 years - Toowoomba Chronicle


A LOVE affair with one of Toowoomba's most unique garden spaces was the inspiration behind a new book by city photographer John Elliott.


Ju Raku En - Celebrating 25 Years of Toowoomba's Japanese Gardens captures the beauty of the locale as it marks its quarter century.


"These gardens are truly wonderful and have so many amazing different elements," Mr Elliot said.


"There is a magic in these gardens which doesn't exist in any other garden in Toowoomba


"So much has gone into the design and creation of the space which you have to see first-hand to truly appreciate."


After beginning construction in April 1983, the gardens took six years to complete and are now visited by more than 100,000 people each year.


They have also been crowned one of the 25 best Japanese gardens outside of Japan.


"Ju Raku En is a must-see local attraction and a very important part of the Toowoomba community," University of Southern Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas said.


"Countless people love the stream and waterfall, dry garden, central lake, 3km of paths and 230 species of Australian and Japanese plants."


John Elliott (right) with one of the instigators of the creation of the Japanese Garden Dr Adrian Allen.John Elliott (right) with one of the instigators of the creation of the Japanese Garden Dr Adrian Allen. Kevin Farmer


History of gardens



  •  Construction of the gardens began in 1983

  •  By mid 1984, 2000 tonnes of rock and 30,000 cubic metres of soil were used to create several miniature mountains.

  •  Officially opened by Mr Yoshiharu Araki on April 28, 1989.

  •  Wins title of Australia's best Japanese garden in 2007.

  •  Gardens celebrate 25 years in 2014 with release of Ju Raku En.



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