Wesley Celebrates New Garden Area
Wesley Celebrates New Garden Area
By Rob Hikido
By Rob Hikido
After much anticipation, the Wesley congregation gathered on Dec. 1, to celebrate the completion of the outdoor Garden project right outside our Fellowship Hall door! This being the culmination of a real team effort involving many people, all contributing their gifts and volunteer time to take the project from idea to reality.
Kudos to the Garden Planning Committee, which never lost focus and persevered as the project went through many revisions and evolved with changing circumstances over its duration which spanned literally, years, from 2016 to now. The Garden Planning Committee consisted of: DeeDee Azuma, Rob Hikido, Viki Inouye, Kelli Martines, Roger Miller, Keith Nakashima and Bert Tanaka. Go team!
The committee spent many, many hours in numerous meetings discussing what the goals of the project should be, what it wanted to be for the congregation, and what it would mean for the community. Its overriding notion was to create a flexible outdoor space that would be used by people of all ages and interests, and would support and enable the many ministries and programs here at Wesley. From the looks of this special area, all goals were met!
The project also benefitted from the help of the following people who generously shared their expertise and knowledge: Dale Sasaki: his assistance in reviewing contracts and providing of general legal advice and guidance on various project issues. Wayne Haraguchi for obtaining of title reports at no cost to the church, as well as getting needed City Planning Department approvals and permits. Jim Yamaguchi for his advice and guidance on selection and layout of planting and general construction details. Cindy Fukuda for her advice and guidance on finish color selections. James Wilcenski, for his advice and guidance on matters relating to construction management and civil engineering issues
Thanks in advance are extended to our Board of Trustees, chaired by Tomoko Tanaka and succeeded by our present Chair Dave Brown, as the BOT will now be tasked with the care and maintenance of the Garden, along with its already full plate with our church.
Our landscape architect design firm, Tanaka Design Group (Bob Tanaka and associate Nate Ma), intently listened to the project goals and parameters as articulated by the Garden committee and expertly gave physical form and shape to the committee’s vision. We are grateful for a design that not only meets our functional needs, but captures a spirit and feeling that perfectly fits our Wesley community. A highlight of the design is the labyrinth on the paved central courtyard area. We thank DeeDee Azuma for the design of the labyrinth pattern, and will be sharing additional information in the future about the opportunities it offers for spiritual contemplation and prayer.
A good design can only be as good as its execution. In that regard, we were so fortunate to have Suarez and Munoz (John Suarez, project lead, and Leo Munoz, site superintendent) as our site and landscape contractor. Their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to quality made for a construction process that went very smoothly, for which we are most appreciative.
We would also like to recognize and thank Palmer Electric (Brian Iwashita and Jason Millard) not only for their electrical work on the Garden, but for being our trusted partner and looking out for us on all of the various electrical projects that arise at Wesley.
A special thanks to Rev Keith and Viki Inouye, for their gift to us of the maple tree that occurs just outside the Fellowship Hall glass entry doors that open to the Garden. We can be reminded of their service and all they did for us during their time here at Wesley, when viewing this beautiful red maple.
Most of all, though, gratitude goes to all of you, the Wesley congregation for your generous support of this project. Without all of you, this Garden project wouldn't have happened, and our biggest hope and wish is that it enhances and strengthens the life of the church while building community both within Wesley as well as with the surrounding Japantown neighborhood. We did this together, let’s be thankful to God for enabling us to get here, and use this Garden in a way that truly spreads God’s love!
Accolades go out to all those involved in the ribbon-cutting ceremony which includes the beautiful violin playing by the very accomplished teenager, Jeffrey, who serenaded all of us and captured the feeling this garden area has to offer to all who will become engaged in its beauty and serenity.
Kudos to the Garden Planning Committee, which never lost focus and persevered as the project went through many revisions and evolved with changing circumstances over its duration which spanned literally, years, from 2016 to now. The Garden Planning Committee consisted of: DeeDee Azuma, Rob Hikido, Viki Inouye, Kelli Martines, Roger Miller, Keith Nakashima and Bert Tanaka. Go team!
The committee spent many, many hours in numerous meetings discussing what the goals of the project should be, what it wanted to be for the congregation, and what it would mean for the community. Its overriding notion was to create a flexible outdoor space that would be used by people of all ages and interests, and would support and enable the many ministries and programs here at Wesley. From the looks of this special area, all goals were met!
The project also benefitted from the help of the following people who generously shared their expertise and knowledge: Dale Sasaki: his assistance in reviewing contracts and providing of general legal advice and guidance on various project issues. Wayne Haraguchi for obtaining of title reports at no cost to the church, as well as getting needed City Planning Department approvals and permits. Jim Yamaguchi for his advice and guidance on selection and layout of planting and general construction details. Cindy Fukuda for her advice and guidance on finish color selections. James Wilcenski, for his advice and guidance on matters relating to construction management and civil engineering issues
Thanks in advance are extended to our Board of Trustees, chaired by Tomoko Tanaka and succeeded by our present Chair Dave Brown, as the BOT will now be tasked with the care and maintenance of the Garden, along with its already full plate with our church.
Our landscape architect design firm, Tanaka Design Group (Bob Tanaka and associate Nate Ma), intently listened to the project goals and parameters as articulated by the Garden committee and expertly gave physical form and shape to the committee’s vision. We are grateful for a design that not only meets our functional needs, but captures a spirit and feeling that perfectly fits our Wesley community. A highlight of the design is the labyrinth on the paved central courtyard area. We thank DeeDee Azuma for the design of the labyrinth pattern, and will be sharing additional information in the future about the opportunities it offers for spiritual contemplation and prayer.
A good design can only be as good as its execution. In that regard, we were so fortunate to have Suarez and Munoz (John Suarez, project lead, and Leo Munoz, site superintendent) as our site and landscape contractor. Their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to quality made for a construction process that went very smoothly, for which we are most appreciative.
We would also like to recognize and thank Palmer Electric (Brian Iwashita and Jason Millard) not only for their electrical work on the Garden, but for being our trusted partner and looking out for us on all of the various electrical projects that arise at Wesley.
A special thanks to Rev Keith and Viki Inouye, for their gift to us of the maple tree that occurs just outside the Fellowship Hall glass entry doors that open to the Garden. We can be reminded of their service and all they did for us during their time here at Wesley, when viewing this beautiful red maple.
Most of all, though, gratitude goes to all of you, the Wesley congregation for your generous support of this project. Without all of you, this Garden project wouldn't have happened, and our biggest hope and wish is that it enhances and strengthens the life of the church while building community both within Wesley as well as with the surrounding Japantown neighborhood. We did this together, let’s be thankful to God for enabling us to get here, and use this Garden in a way that truly spreads God’s love!
Accolades go out to all those involved in the ribbon-cutting ceremony which includes the beautiful violin playing by the very accomplished teenager, Jeffrey, who serenaded all of us and captured the feeling this garden area has to offer to all who will become engaged in its beauty and serenity.
Rob Hikido and Rev. John Oda, cut the ribbon, opening the area for our church and community use.
Key people involved in the process were pleased to see the finished garden project: from left: Rev. John Oda, Leo Munoz, Rob Hikido, Bob Tanaka, Roger Miller, Kelli Martines, DeeDee Azuma, and Keith Nakashima.
Gorgeous solo by Jeffrey to kick-off the celebration.
A commemorative Japanese Maple given by Rev. Keith and Viki Inouye adding their touch to this garden space
This beautiful array of hand-made manju was made especially for this event and enjoyed by all the attendees. Here Patsy Utsumi chooses her baked goody. And there was a celebration cake as well.
Shovels used for the ground-breaking ceremony several months ago.
Posted in Newsletter 2024-12-19