Japanese Gardens makeover project complete

A PROJECT to formalise an area of the popular Japanese Gardens to host weddings within the City has been completed.

The project, which started in June last year and was completed recently, boasts the construction of a contemporary structure (gazebo) that suits a modern Japanese theme that can be utilised as a wedding chapel complimented by an avenue of trees.

Allan Shazi, Deputy Head of Architecture said the Durban North Japanese Gardens has been hosting garden setting wedding ceremonies for several years with patrons utilising an avenue of existing trees as a make shift wedding aisle and informal alter at the end.

Shazi emphasised that Durban’s favourable weather has made outdoor social functions, especially weddings, very popular.

Related story: Japanese Gardens undergoes transformation

The project saw a new lower boundary wall erected to secure the gardens better, a paved marquee platform to formalise a functions area for wedding receptions with built in marquee anchor points for stay ropes, limited lower parking area for the wedding party and families for easy accessibility to the function and formalised paved access roads from the wedding parking area at the bottom to the drop-off paved circle.

In addition, paving the aisle between the existing trees including a paved platform for seating to compliment the wedding gazebo and creating an open air chapel, landscaping in and around the wedding area including Japanese-styled lanterns to add to the Japanese theme, formalising a multi-purpose path around the gardens to create a loop between the top and the bottom of the gardens that could be used for walking was also undertaken as part of the design.

ALSO READ: Kaizen! Jap gardens set for a makeover

Furthermore, some picnic sites including new polished concrete picnic tables and benches were also upgraded. Betaview fencing was installed in the upper portion of the gardens on Prospect Hall Road with a completed grass block surface to the upper parking area.

Shazi said a cobble pattern was used in the wedding aisle pattern to emulate a rustic palette coupled with a Japanese style border pattern to enhance the theme. Other work undertaken to compliment the newly renovated Japanese Gardens was asphalt sidewalk repairs and installation of new gates and boomgates.

For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram

You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.