The George & Sakaye Artani Japanese Garden is located on the campus of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Opened in 2003, the garden was designed by Takeo Uesugi.
The garden is designed as a strolling-pond garden. An existing spring-fed pond occupied the site but had become neglected over time. With the creation of the garden, the spring now flows along a narrow stream that feeds the main pond. The garden features a variety of bridges, a turtle island, a waterfall, and koi in both the pond and portions of the stream. Meandering pathways make strolling through the garden easy, allowing it to be readily accessible to visitors.
My only criticism is the abundance of exposed concrete in the retaining wall behind the pond. Although it is a necessary engineering feature, the wall detracts from the otherwise natural setting. As a result, the garden is best appreciated from above the retaining wall rather than from the campus courtyard on the opposite side. In addition, the red metal sculpture along the pathway is a major visual distraction and would be better located elsewhere to preserve the garden's sense of authenticity.
Overall, the garden is an excellent example of a North American interpretation of a Japanese stroll garden and demonstrates how such a garden can be successfully integrated into an existing landscape. It is well worth a visit, especially after the semester has ended in the spring, when the garden offers a greater sense of people-free peace and tranquility.
