Looking Good At 24 Years Old

The Japanese garden continues to look great after 24 years of development and care.  Above are four relatively recent shots of that garden space.  With recent discussions on a brochure for this garden and the need for more history/photos of this garden for our website, the importance of this garden can't be understated.  This was the first garden started at RBG although as it was developed, there were also improvements going on in the formal gardens, gazebo garden, arboretum and on the Rath Environmental Center (our first visitors center).  Designed and developed by Dave, Wayne & Scott Petranek, the Japanese garden continues to be our most popular garden at RBG has been ranked as one of the top 25 Japanese gardens in North America.  This garden has had a special group of volunteers and staff dedicated to this space.  Early volunteers included Dr. Yahr, Tom McKaig, Karen McKaig, Dr. Neeno, Mrs. Roehrdanz (can't remember her first name) and Little Jerry.  Little Jerry then came on as staff and that was his focus garden for many years.  Jumbo Jim (and the RECAPPERS) have been a huge help in that garden for many years and Stan K. has now joined the group that maintains this neat garden.  Below are just some of the many historic shots that we'll ultimately utilize in some fashion in the near future.

With many meetings and appointments today for me, I'm doing the blog early and can't attest to all the great volunteer help that came in on this chilly first day of Spring!  There was another staff retreat today and the Janesville Gazette came to do a feature on two of our volunteers (Pat & Pat M., married couple) today.  Preparations for a busy spring continue daily and we're also getting ready for our big Spring Symposium this Saturday and the Market Mingle event this Friday evening.