As the dog days of one of the hottest years on record wind down, two downtown attractions have already started the process of getting themselves back in business following the blistering heat of the summer months.
The Japanese Friendship Garden and the Phoenix Trolley Museum are both downtown attractions that take a break from operating in the summer.
Located on North Third Street just south of Margaret T. Hance Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden holds true to Japanese tradition. A joint effort between Phoenix and its sister city of Himeji, Japan, the Garden houses a variety of plants and waterfalls, a koi pond and even a traditional Japanese tea house.
Interim Executive Director of the Japanese Friendship Garden Susan McCall said the reason the Garden closes over the summer is simply because of Phoenix’s triple-digit temperatures.
“I have personally been in this garden during the summer months, and it is extremely hot,” McCall said. “It’s just not cost-efficient to be open. You don’t last long in the garden in the heat.”
Despite being closed over the summer, McCall says everything within the Garden continues to be maintained during its off-season.
“We have continuous gardening, so we absolutely monitor the health of the plants.” McCall said. “The plants are constantly being watered, and the irrigation is constantly being worked on.”
The garden held opening ceremonies on Saturday to celebrate the beginning of its 2011-12 season.
Avondale resident Alicia Johnson went to the garden to get her kids outdoors. She enjoyed its atmosphere and tranquility.
“I’ve never been here before, and I thought it was really nice.” Johnson said. “I think this is an important part of Phoenix, especially the downtown area.”
Meanwhile, just down the street from the garden, the Phoenix Trolley Museum is making preparations to be featured at the Arizona State Fair, which opens Oct. 14.
The Phoenix Trolley Museum also closes over the summer but typically re-opens in October. It hopes to delay this year’s opening while it sends one of its streetcars out to be displayed at the Fair.
The details have not all been hammered out yet, but museum president Ernest Workman said the possibility of the museum joining the fair is likely, and he hopes a presence there will bring more awareness and support for it.
“We run solely on the support of our members, and we’re hoping that this will help generate a few more.” Workman said. “You never know, maybe a corporate head will walk through the fairgrounds and say, ‘Gee, I didn’t know that existed,’” he jokingly added.
The museum, located on North Central Avenue just south of West McDowell road, displays two streetcars from the golden days of the Phoenix Railway System. The museum opened in 1975 and celebrates the streetcar system that ran from 1887 to 1948 on the streets of downtown Phoenix.
The Japanese Friendship Garden will remain open for the 2011-12 season until May; the Trolley Museum closes its doors for the summer that same month.
Contact the reporter at jyanezre@asu.edu
