The Japanese Garden of Los Angeles
SuihoEn: "Garden of water and fragrance"
I’ve lived in Los Angeles all of my life, and this is another recent discovery for me. I visited for the first time this week.
The Japanese Garden of Los Angeles sits on the grounds of the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in the Van Nuys neighborhood, in the San Fernando Valley. It is operated by the City of Los Angeles Sanitation Department. The garden's Japanese name is SuihoEn meaning "garden of water and fragrance."
The idea of having a Japanese Garden adjacent to the water reclamation plant was conceived by Donald C. Tillman, who was the City Engineer from 1972 to 1980. The garden’s purpose was to “demonstrate a positive use of reclaimed water in what is generally agreed to be a delicate environment, a Japanese Garden.” The ponds and irrigation use reclaimed water from the reclamation plant.
According to the Sanitation Department:
The Japanese Garden at the Donald C. Tillman Reclamation Plant was part of Mr. Tillman's vision to create a world class treatment plant that would not only treat wastewater but also provide a sanctuary where the public could enjoy the peaceful surroundings while learning about water reclamation.
The 6.5 acre garden was designed by Dr. Koichi Kawara, a Japanese American garden designer, landscape architect and teacher. The garden was designed to be authentic in every detail, including a Shoin Building and teahouse. It was dedicated June 14, 1984.
The Mayor of Los Angeles appoints members of the Japanese Garden Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee to oversee all major decisions related to use, maintenance and future plans of the Garden.
In addition to the beautiful trees and plants in the garden, there are birds and other wildlife. Some of the interesting birds that I saw were: snowy egret, great blue heron, double-crested Cormorant, Egyptian geese.
The Egyptian geese are in the video below. (See my previous article about Egyptian geese here.) The industrial looking building in the background of the video is the reclamation plant Administration Building, which separates the garden from the plant.
The photos below are the views from various locations in the garden.
Portions of the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation were filmed at the garden.
The Japanese Garden is currently free to visit, and no reservations are required. However, they have limited hours. Be sure to check the website before you go. When arriving, you are required to check in with the guard at the security gate at the entrance to the parking lot, and then you check in at the Admission office before entering the garden.
And, although the name means "garden of water and fragrance," there is a slight odor from the reclamation plant. But, I think it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Note: All photos were taken September 16, 2024.
Update, 11/29/2024: If you would like to see more photos and video clips from my visit to the Japanese Garden, view the video below.