Normandale Japanese Garden

Address

Phone

Run by

Normandale Community College

Date Established

Date Established
1976

Designer

Takao Watanabe

Size

2 acres

Cost

  • No admission fee
  • Nominal charge for self-guiding brochure

Peak Season

Spring
Summer

Region

Metro

Garden Type

Japanese Garden

Extras

  • Guided tours can be arranged for groups for a fee 
  • Restrooms – in nearby buildings 
  • Free parking in lots near garden entrance 
  • Weddings can be scheduled in the garden

Comments

This Japanese strolling garden was instigated by the Bloomington Affiliated Garden Clubs in 1964 when the college campus was still being developed. The garden clubs raised the $75,000 to build the garden while the college donated its two acres of land, including a portion of the Green Heron pond that is on school property and lends considerable “borrowed” landscape to the garden. 
Much was donated to the garden (sand, fill, plants, structures) as were the design services of Takao Watanabe, who was the landscape architect for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The garden is over-flowing with Japanese garden elements; a gated entrance, multiple bridges, stone lanterns, shelters, symbolic islands, rocks, streams and waterfalls. Plant materials, though mostly not those used in Japan due to climate differences, reflect the reserved use of flowering plants that is traditional in Japan. Variations in tones and textures of green predominate and woody plant materials are trimmed or pruned to specific aesthetic goals. Paths are tarred.

Garden photos
pond with bridge in the background
pond with building in the background
garden plants with path
waterfall with trees
path with bridge and building