City of Olympia, WA

05/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2026 15:09

05/15/2026 - Update on Yashiro Japanese Garden Closure and Relocation

Update on Yashiro Japanese Garden Closure and Relocation

With the sale of the Justice Center site to the Squaxin Island Tribe, the City of Olympia is planning to relocate the Yashiro Japanese Garden to a new public location. The current site at 1010 Plum Street SE will close June 1, 2026. The City is taking steps now to preserve this beloved space and prepare for an eventual relocation when a new site has been determined.

Since the closure was announced, the City has heard from many people who shared memories of weddings, family visits, art exhibitions, and quiet afternoon walks in the garden. That response has reinforced what we already know: this space holds a special place in Olympia's identity, and we are committed to carrying it forward.

What is being preserved
Relocating a 35-year-old garden is a complex undertaking, and we want to provide clear picture of what that means. Our goal is to preserve everything that can be saved and to use those elements as the foundation of a future garden.

The granite pagoda and stone sculptures, many of which were gifts from our Sister City, will be carefully removed and kept in safe storage. Parks staff are currently assessing which plantings are strong candidates for transplanting, and the removal timeline is being planned to give those plants the best chance of survival. The koi are being donated to Thurston County Correctional Facility, which has an established koi pond.

The City must have all elements removed from the property by the end of 2026.

What comes next
Following closure, staff will begin work on site selection and design of the future garden. We expect to issue a Request for Qualifications for a landscape design firm with expertise in authentic Japanese garden design later this year. Once a firm is selected, they will lead a public engagement process to identify a new site and develop a design, with meaningful opportunities for the public to weigh in.

The size and character of the future garden will be shaped with public and stakeholder input. The City has set aside $350,000 from the Justice Center property sale to fund the planning, design, and preservation work. Construction costs will not be known until a site is selected and a design is developed, and additional funding sources, including grants and other opportunities, will be pursued as the project takes shape.

Our Sister City relationship
The garden was built to honor the friendship between Olympia and what was then Yashiro, Japan. In 2005, Yashiro merged with neighboring cities to form the city of Kato, though our Sister City relationship continues and remains as meaningful as ever. The City has been coordinating with the Olympia Kato Sister City Association throughout this transition and will continue to do so as planning for the new garden moves forward.

Volunteers
Alongside staff, the garden has been lovingly maintained by a small group of dedicated volunteers for many years. We are working with those volunteers to connect them with other park stewardship opportunities across the City during this transition period.

How to stay informed and involved
Sign up for Parks and Recreation e-news at olympiawa.gov/news to receive updates on the public engagement process as the project moves forward. Updates will also be posted to the Japanese Garden's page.
Contact
Laura Keehan, Director of Parks Planning & Maintenance
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.570.5855
[email protected]
City of Olympia, WA published this content on May 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 15, 2026 at 21:09 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]