By SANDY ROUSSEAU
For the News
March 6, 2008

Development of the Japanese Heritage Garden on the grounds of the OSU Extension center is progressing. OSU Master Gardeners met with Japanese garden designer Sadafumi Uchiyama to select rocks for the garden at Moffett Springs Decorative Stone on Feb. 11.

The Japanese Heritage Garden is a part of the larger Learning Garden on the OSU Extension Center grounds. Site preparation began last month and will continue through March, when the rock will be installed and additional hardscape will be constructed. Planting is scheduled to begin later in the spring.

Recent donations from Hood River Rotary, Hood River Cultural Trust, Moffett Springs Decorative Stone, Richter Landscape Inc. and Hood River Ornamentals, and continuing support from individuals have made it possible to move ahead with the construction phase of the garden.

This OSU Master Gardener-Central Gorge Chapter project is a public garden that is dedicated to the Japanese Issei who were interned with their families during World War II.

Anyone who is interested in the project is invited to contact Rita Saling, rsaling@saw.net or in care of Central Gorge Master Gardener Association, 2990 Experiment Station Drive, Hood River, OR 97031.