Choshi Gardens - History
1985 - Choshi Gardens ; Initial work began
1988 - Morning Song Bridge, red bridge over creek of Whispering Waters.
- Pond of Crystal Mist, 'Pond One' nearer to Mingus Park Lake.
- Whispering Waters , creek created when concrete dam was built for red bridge. Water runs west to east from below Scout Cabin and canyon.
1991 - Phase One of garden construction. Placement of large rock along creek. Sand added to slopes on both sides of creek. First of bark placed to hold ground.
1992 - Bamboo Planted. Timber Bamboo plants, east end, were donated by Soroptimist Club. Five other types were donated or purchased but planted same time.
1993 - Boardwalk, designed by engineers, Ray Prefontaine and Dean Sheldon. Constructed by 6 volunteers of White Cedar posts and boards.
- Pond of Illusion, 'Pond Two' which contains Japanese lantern. Brush removed by Mike Hosie, Sonny and Bev Meyers, Glen Dack, dug out by Army Corps of Engineers. Temporary Earth Dam built to establish waterline for one winter. Road was moved to create curve and final earth dam/ road one year later with placement of underground pipe for drainage to force water uphill to enhance water pressure to create Spillway.
1994 - Spillway/ Riffleway was rocked up Aug.1994. Second pipe, capped, was built below spillway pipe for total drainage of pond.
- Snow Lantern gift Hand carved granite, 3000 pounds. Arrived on flatbed truck. Placed in location by Richard and Steve Lyles, Azaleas Acres. Each layer glued to the next by Gloria Hillstrom & Bob Renner.
1994 - Gambusia Fish, collected by Bev Meyers & Gloria Hillstrom in Coquille canals. Released in all water system to help rid mosquito larva in area.
1995 - Concrete & Rock terraces, built by Gloria Hillstrom and Bev Meyers. 3 yrs.
- Foot Trail along south side of Pond of Crystal Mist established. Widened 9/2001.
- Foot Trail extended around Pond of Illusion, by Marshfield High Students.
1996 - GARDEN DEDICATION- Ribbon cutting with garden streamers and public attendance.
1997 - Salmon BarBQ Booth. Garden Fund Raiser at Charleston Seafood Festival.
- Rebuilding of Lantern Island, shore up sides, replace and add rock.
1998 - Asphalt of Main Trail/ road in garden
- Trellis Built, north side of Boardwalk by volunteers. Planted with Honeysuckle, Orange Trumpet Vine, White Lace Vine and Purple Wisteria.
1999 - Rock work of creek edges, rock terraces. By Bev Meyers, Gloria Hillstom, Glen Dack. Work required two summers.
- Garden Benches made and placed for Eagle Scout Project, Troop 156.
2000 - Bean Bag Toss, 4th of July Celebration, Day in the Park.
2002 - O'Hara Bridge & Retaining walls built by volunteers. Located north end of Pond of Illusion.
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Choshi Garden - Donations and Memoriam's
1) Forest Moss Garden - July 29, 2000
In appreciation to Beverly and Anthony Meyers. They have cared for this Garden with their hearts as well as their hands.
2) Winter Hemlock Shelter - July 29, 2000
In memory of E. E. Fitzwalter, Mayor of Coos Bay 1944-46 from her children: Steve, Jodie and Patty
3) Memory Trellis - July 29, 2000
In Loving Memory of Alice Connick
4) Bench in Laurel Grove - July 29, 2000
Donated by the Family of Frank & Beverly Buell, Luther & Ruth Buckbee, Mark & Linda (Buell) Buckbee, James & Susan (Buell) Gell, Jay &Lorrie (Buell) Bennett, Scott & Frankie (Buell) Hernandez, & Julie Buell
5) Garden View (above Azaleas) - July 29, 2000
Bill Borcher- Coach: MHS Basketball 1946- 51, Coach: U of O Basketball 1951-56, Leader: Oregon Jazz Band, Founder: Sacramento Jazz Jubilee
6) Dogwood Curve (far north end, upper trail) - July 29, 2000
Made possible by the generous donation by the Bay Area Jaycees
7) Forest Trail Bench (above Pachysandra) - July 29, 2000
In memory of Andy Howard (0/3/21 - 6/3/99), "The Consummate Host"
8) Bamboo Peak-a-Boo - July 29, 2000
This Bench was made possible by the generous donation of the Bay Area Lions Club
9) West end Bamboo - May 18, 2001
Soroptimist International of the Coos Bay Area - Bob and Margaret Perkins
10) Pond II (Gloria's Pond) Lake Trail - May 18, 2001
Hauser Garden Club, Coos Bay Garden Club, Rogue District #5 Garden Club
11) Pond II Bridge - built - July 2001
In Memory of Shirley O'Hara (Dec. 30, 1922 - Dec. 24, 2000), "Live Life to the Fullest" - The Rifkin Family
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Choshi Garden - Official names of Garden Elements
1) Morning Song Bridge - red bridge-1988
2) Whispering Waters - creek length of garden, flows west to east.
3) Pond of Crystal Mist - (Pond 1), located closest to Mingus Lake. -1988
4) Pond of Illusion (Gloria's Pond) - (Pond 2), located with Japanese Lantern. -1993
5) Boardwalk- White Cedar, 1992
6) Riffleway- water spillway from Gloria's Pond to creek - 1993
7) Dry Creek Area- round rock, located below Azalea Crescent - 1992
8) Snow Lantern- located on island in Gloria's Pond, western most lake- 1993
9) O'Hara Bridge- located at north end of Gloria's Pond - 2001
10) Cascade and stream- incoming water from above Gloria's Pond (Pond 2)
11) Big Leaf Trail- containing Skunk Cabbage in summer. Runs length of upper creek beyond maintenance entrance road. Trail leads to Scout Cabin or trail to upper road.
12) Dogwood Trail- in memory of Dean Sheldon, 5 Dogwoods were planted. Trail is located around Gloria's Pond of Illusion (Pond 2).
13) Tiger Jumpoff- small point boys road bikes off- landing into pond. Located on west edge of Gloria's Pond of Illusion. Now planted with Hanokie Cypress, small rhodies and yellow pond lilies.
14) Pachysandra Hillside - located on mid-slope above Gloria's Pond of Illusion- 1998
15) Cherry Blossom Walkway- paved walkway/ road between red bridge and boardwalk. Rock Terraces below hold slope above pond. Paved Sept. 1998.
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About Choshi, Japan
Choshi is located on the east coast of the Boso Peninsula about 60 miles east of Tokyo. It is at the mouth of the Tone River, the third largest in Japan. The city encompasses about 33 square miles and has a population of 90,000. The government of the city is run by a mayor and city council. Choshi is known for its production of soy sauce and is the largest producer of cabbage in Japan. It also is the third largest fishing harbor in Japan. Choshi's weather is similar to Coos Bay's. It is cool in the summer and warm during the winter months, with an annual precipitation if around 42 inches. To compare the cities, you may wish to visit the Choshi, Japan city website, the Choshi, Japan Chamber of Commerce, the Coos Bay city website and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
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The purpose of the Coos Bay - Choshi Sister City Program
The Coos Bay - Choshi Sister City program helps the citizens of both communities become directly involved in international relations through cultural and art exchanges, educational programs and expanded economic opportunities. Find out more about other Oregon - Japan Sister Cities.
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Coos Bay - Choshi Sister City Accomplishments
Since February 10, 1983, when Coos Bay and Choshi established a sister city relationship, Visit the Choshi, Japan sister city website.
* There have been numerous home stays in both countries.
* A 2.4 acre Coos Bay Park has been built in downtown Choshi.
* Coos County teachers have taught in Choshi's Schools.
* A list of film and media about Japan has been compiled for use in Coos County
schools and is available through the ESD.
* Sister school agreements have been signed, resulting in art, letter and student
exchanges.
* a Coos County International Trade Directory has been developed and distributed.
* Increased trade agreements have been signed by Coos County businesses.
* Construction & on going development of Choshi Garden in Coos Bay's Mingus Park
has been established.
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Directions to Choshi Gardens, Coos Bay, OR .
Turn West (away from river) off Hwy. 101 onto Commercial in downtown Coos Bay. On Commercial go to 10th Street. Turn right at stop light and go 1 block. You will see Mingus Park and Choshi Garden sign on corner in flower bed. * Ballfield parking & restroom. Then walk around Mingus Lake to our gardens. Or parking is available above City Swimming Pool, one block north. A bit of hill to climb returning to cars from this location. Choshi Garden is west of Red Bridge.2.4 acres with planted areas, trails, boardwalk, bridges and paved walks.
Please enjoy.
Bev Meyers,
Garden Administer/Coordinator.
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