Manito Park in Spokane, WA

In 1904, ninety-five acres of land was donated to the City by forgotten founder of Spokane, Francis H. Cook, one of the most influential people in the City’s History. On May 19, 1904, the former Montrose Park had a new owner, the City of Spokane. At that time, the park was renamed Manito, a Native American word meaning a supernatural force that pervades nature.


For many years, Manito’s main attractions were its exhibition gardens and small zoo. In 1912, a conservatory was added, followed by a three acre “sunken garden” in 1913.
Manito Park has evolved to one of Spokane's primary showplaces. Comprised of five major garden areas (the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden, Duncan Garden, Rose Hill, Lilac Garden and Ferris Perennial Garden), Manito Park is nationally recognized for its diverse horticultural displays.
I admired the various buildings throughout. The picturesque stone bridge, built in the early 1930s, reflects the same stone architectural style seen in many of the park buildings built in its early years.



Now there are 90 acres worth of immaculate flower beds, greenhouse overflows, perfumes of roses, and lilacs, living creatures such as swans, geese and ducks and so much more.




I thought I had been transported to Versailles when we discovered Duncan Gardens, the most dramatic of Manito's gardens, created in a classical European Renaissance style. The garden encompasses three acres and includes manicured turf areas and vast displays of colorful annual bedding plants.



We paused briefly at the Gaiser Conservatory. The original conservatory was built in 1912. A new, all aluminum conservatory and supporting greenhouses were designed and built in 1974 and funded entirely with private donations. The central dome was redesigned and enlarged in 1988 and named in memory of Dr. David Gaiser, civic leader and park patron. The dome area includes a waterfall, pond, and houses large tropical plants.


We ended our visit with a too brief visit to the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden (1974). Various garden elements have been artistically placed in an asymmetric, strolling pond style, creating a beautiful garden in Japanese tradition. This garden provides an intimate reminder of nature, inspiring tranquility and peace. It also symbolizes the friendship of Spokane and its Sister City, Nishinomiya. The garden was ranked 16th among more than 300 public Japanese gardens by The Journal of Japanese Gardening. The Garden was named to honor Ed Tsutakawa, founder of the Spokane Nishinomiya Sister City relationship and a champion of the Sister City movement in Spokane for 45 years until his death in October 2007. So very cool.

Manito Park is a Spokane treasure and if we ever find ourselves in the Spokane area again, it will be a planned destination. Wow.

"The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway." –Michael Pollan

posted under |

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Get new Blog Posts to your inbox. Just enter name and email below.

 

We respect your email privacy

Blog Archive


Recent Comments