If you build it they will come.

The Gardens at Lake Merritt are well-known as a showcase for a plethora of species of flora.  Recently, a leaky, resource-wasting water feature– designed in a day when few questioned the constant draining, cleaning and refilling involved in maintaining decorative ponds– was transformed into a habitat for several species of  fauna– dragonflies, damselflies and tree frogs.

What started as a badge project concept for Eagle Scout, Jordan Soulman,  coalesced around Park Supervisor Tora Rocha’s long-held notion that the Gardens’ mid-20th Century water feature might be more efficiently maintained through the installation of a cutting-edge bio-filtration system.

The project came together quite quickly and took a virtual village to accomplish.

Among the contributing personnel and organizations:

Lead volunteer gardener for the Torii Garden, Peter Boyer, helped the crew learn an ancient method of moving large rocks using a sled and large wood tripod and pulley, as seen in the picture below. This method is still widely used in Japanese gardens. It allows efficient movement of rocks without powered equipment or damage to the soil and existing plantings.

This technique enables the gardener to rotate and view the rock and select  its most pleasing orientation and placement.  The Japanese Garden Organization’s article  Moving Mountains demonstrates this method. The technique also is taught annually at Merritt College in a one-day course.

Thank you Venturers, BSA and program Leader Ken Li for your hard work. We hope to see you in the Gardens again soon.

For more information on this event, see the Service Crew website.

The Torii is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entry to a Shinto shrine and marks the entrance to a sacred space. The original Torii Gate was a gift to the City of Oakland in 1969 from the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Fukuoka, Japan, Oakland’s sister city. The gate was rebuilt in 2002 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship.

2012, the 50th anniversary of Oakland’s relationship with Fukuoka, featured celebrations in both cities and the addition of 10 new lanterns to the Torii Gate Garden.

Oakland, Japanese Sister City Mark 50 Years with Local Events

 This year, Oakland and Fukuoka, Japan celebrate the 50th Anniversary of establishing a Sister City relationship with events here in Oakland August 17-20, including a lanterns and cherry tree dedication in The Gardens at Lake Merritt Sunday, August 19.

In 1962 the city of Oakland formed a sister city relationship with Fukuoka, Japan. On the heels of World War II, then-President Eisenhower encouraged these connections to foster international understanding and harmony between cities and nations.

Fukuoka, Japan’s new 38-year-old mayor, the Hon. Soichiro Takashima leads a delegation of 30 officials and citizens to Oakland.

To celebrate this milestone and what it represents, Oakland is pulling out the stops with four days of celebratory events, showing off our city and sharing it with the delegation from Fukuoka. And they’re inviting the public to join in the fun.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

First-ever art exchange at Oakland Asian Cultural Center between Oakland artist James Gayles and Fukuoka artist Hiroko To. The 38 pieces, first shown in Fukuoka, will be displayed at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth Street, in Oakland’s Chinatown. An opening reception will take place  Friday, August 17, 6-8 pm. Reception is $10 per person.

Hiroshima at Yoshi’s Jazz Club, Saturday, August 18, 8-10 pm, Tickets $35 each.

Dedication of 10 Japanese lanterns at the Torii Gate at Lake Merritt. Copied from a lantern design at Kashii Shrine in Fukuoka, the project is funded by local support. Sunday, August 19, 8:30-9:30 am. Reception follows at Children’s Fairyland, Bellevue Avenue, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Free event is open to the public.

Oakland A’s versus Cleveland Indians: Sunday, August 19 from 1:05-4 pm; pregame meal and seats at private seating Barbecue Terrace. Tickets are $50 and limited to 50 seats.

Historic Meeting and Panel Discussion on  Disaster Preparedness: Monday, August 20 from 8:30 am – Noon, Oakland City Hall City Council Chambers. Free event is open to the public.  Japanese firefighters who rushed to northern Japan after the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami and Earthquake will visit Oakland and share their experiences with the public on August 20, 2012.  The disaster killed 15,861 persons with 6,107 injured, and left 3,018 missing.   129,225 buildings totally collapsed. The Japanese firefighters, from Fukuoka, Japan, will share and exchange disaster rescue experiences with Oakland’s own disaster rescue personnel involved in the Loma Prieta Earthquake and Oakland Hills Wildfire.

Gala and Farewell Dinner:  Monday, August 20 from 6-9 pm, Sequoyah Country Club, 4550 Heafey Road. Tickets are $75 per person, $125 per couple.

We had a great work day on Saturday, April 17 in the Torii Gate Garden with volunteers of all ages.

The group was comprised primarily of a team from PG&E.

The major focus of our work was beginning a new stone beach for the pond in the garden.

Volunteers also did some excavation to install some electric conduit, and general weeding.

Everyone pitched in and got a lot accomplished.

And there was still time to take a break and check out the gardens’ newest residents– ducklings!

Sunday, October 4th, 2009 – Free + Open to the Public
Lakeside Park Garden Center
666 Bellevue Avenue
Oakland, CA
(Entrance on Grand at Fairyland)

Program
5:30 pm – bonsai Garden & Bento Dinner*
Open House by the Golden State Bonsai Collection North 5:30 – 6:30
Japanese “bento” box dinners (sushi & skewered meats/fish) created by Musashi of Berkeley. Vegetarian Bentos available upon request. Come see our magnificent Torii Gate ( Dedicated in the Memory of the late Oakland council Member Frank Ogawa 1917 – 1994).

6:30 pm – Entertainment
Oakland Kendo Dojo – Martial arts group
Enshoza – Japanese folk music & dance
Performances by the delegates from Asian Pacific Children’s Convention & High School Exchanges