Nitobi Memorial Garden, UBC, Vancouver, B.C.

This 2.2 acre garden was originally constructed in 1960. Over the proceeding years, inappropriate methods of repair and maintenance occurred and the Garden deteriorated. Shunmyo Masuno, a Landscape Architect and Zen Buddhist Monk,
along with Patrick Mooney, a Landscape Architect in the Landscape Architecture Program at UBC, initiated a program for the Garden’s renovation. Don Vaughan Ltd. was hired by UBC to manage, coordinate and supervise the construction and Jeff Vaughan was the person in our firm responsible for this. The work began in October 1992 and was completed in March 1993.The major areas of work were:
*Construction of new approach
*Installation of Tsuijibei (garden wall)
*Restored pond edge
*Renovation of Tea Garden
*Major pruning and clean up of the Garden

This renovation raised interest and concern among many interest groups in the Vancouver area. It has provided a forum for landscape architects, architects, plantsmen and many other people interested in Japanese Culture and Gardens to study and redefine their personal understanding of Japan. The goal of this project was not merely to repair damaged areas in the Garden. It is recognized that this project provided the opportunity to deepen cultural understandings between Canada and Japan for many Canadian and Japanese people.

return to Parks and Gardens
Shunmyo Masuno, a Zen Buddhist Monk
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