Parque Grande opens its new Japanese Garden

Almost a year after the members of the Zaragoza-Japan Cultural Association planted the first cherry trees, the new Japanese Garden of the Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta is now ready to be enjoyed by citizens. This space, located next to the final stretch of the Acequia de las Abdulas, near Las Ocas, is from now on a new perfect corner to walk, rest and enjoy its tranquility.

The Minister of Environment and Mobility, Tatiana Gaudes , has shown her “satisfaction at seeing the fruit of so many months of work, throughout which a new space has been created, with great love, in this corner of the Park. In addition to being a special meeting point for the Japanese community in Zaragoza, I am sure that it will become a very pleasant and innovative place for all of us who are going to enjoy it.”

Throughout these months, in addition to the consolidation of the planted trees, the technicians from the Urban Ecology and Circular Economy Department have continued working to adapt this space to the characteristics for which it had been designed. Thus, in addition to reviewing and protecting the shed that serves to propel the water from the irrigation ditch, the two slopes on both sides of the waterfall have been revegetated. To do this, by the way, part of the plant soil recovered from the Nativity scene in Plaza del Pilar has been recycled.

In addition, tulip bulbs have been planted on both sides of the waterfall, as well as three other cherry trees and three sweetgum trees around the water pond. The work has also reached the infrastructure, with the construction of two manholes to channel rainwater and avoid washouts and gullies, both on the slope and at the entrance to Parque Grande por las Ocas. In addition, a new wooden fence marks the protection perimeter of the slope in the Villa de Calcena area .

The great protagonist of this Japanese Garden is the Japanese flower cherry tree (Prunus serrulata “Kanzan”) . It is a tree that, due to its floral explosion in spring (which is already visible these days), is one of the best known and used as an ornamental tree. The flowers resemble small roses (the species belongs to the Rosaceae family) and appear grouped in dense bouquets that completely cover the branches. This variety withstands intense cold (-23°) and urban pollution. It is a medium-sized tree, which can reach between 6-9 meters in height and 4.5-7 meters in diameter.

AN EVOCATIVE NAME

“Kanzan” (or “Kwanzan”) is a word taken from classical Japanese poetry, which evokes a nostalgic image of one’s homeland or village in a valley surrounded by mountains. This variety is also known as “Sekiyama” , which means mountain station, or “Sekizan” , after the famous 9th century Zen Buddhist temple of the Tendai school. Prunus serrulata “Kanzan” arrived in Europe, specifically in England, in 1913.

VII HANAMI FEAST

The opening of the Japanese Garden of the Parque Grande will coincide with the VII Hanami Festival that is celebrated from April 13 to May 11 and which will have one of its main stages in this space. On Saturday, the 13th , the activity will start there at 10:30 a.m. with a photo session of Japanese kimonos, which will be followed by demonstrations of Japanese arts, a Butoh Dance intervention and a Japanese drum concert by the Kamidaiko Group. That day will conclude at noon with a picnic in the Japanese Garden itself.