Quote: The Topeka Zoo's Kay McFarland Japanese Garden may have officially opened last fall, but zoo staff figured a mid-pandemic opening is no way to properly celebrate such a beautiful addition to not just the zoo, but the city as well.
A relaunch was needed.
"While we opened this garden and have had great success with it, we want to make sure we're highlighting not only this beautiful project and asset to the Topeka community, but we also want to make sure people know what's going on here over the next several months," zoo director Brendan Wiley told reporters Friday morning.
Throughout the months of April and May, the zoo will host various events to highlight some of the recent additions to the zoo, but particularly the $6.6 million, authentic Japanese garden honoring the late Kay McFarland, who was the first elected woman to be a judge in Shawnee County, first appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court and first to be high court's chief justice.
Here are a few of them.
Kay McFarland Japanese Garden Opening Day
While the Japanese garden has been and remains open to zoogoers, the zoo will officially relaunch the garden on Saturday, April 10, with an opening day festival for the 2-month-long Awaken the Senses event.
"One of the things that will impress you when you arrive (in the Japanese garden) is all of the different sounds, visual colors — all of those little things in a garden that are designed to appeal to the different senses," Wiley said. "That's why we've labeled April and May as a time to 'awaken the senses,' and a lot of the activities we have planned are designed to do exactly that."
Food vendors will line a pathway inside the zoo and outside the garden, while Washburn University's Sociology and Anthropology Department will help host cultural activities throughout the day.
Additionally, the zoo will host a formal tea ceremony and calligraphy presentation, and authentic kimono and samurai armor will be on display for zoogoers to observe. The Three Trails Taiko drum group will also perform at various intervals throughout the day.
Wiley said the zoo wanted to make sure zoogoers understand some of the symbolism and backstory to the garden, leading to the zoo to develop an app that will launch on opening day.
"Everything in this garden has a story," Wiley said. "Another thing that means is that there is no signage in this garden to detract from the landscape. But because we want people to understand those stories, our staff has developed a phone app that will debut in April."
Early zoo access starts Monday
Starting this Monday and going through the end of May, the zoo will begin offering earlier access to the zoo, with gates opening at 7:30 a.m.
"We're doing that to give people a little4- extra time to come out and see and experience the Japanese garden," Wiley said. "The entire zoo will be open, but instead of seeing animals and exhibits, you might see staff cleaning exhibits. But it's still a beautiful time to be at the zoo and walk through the garden."
Wiley said the early access should particularly appeal to senior citizens, or those who enjoy morning walks. Early access is included in the price of regular admission to the zoo.
Kansas Ballet to perform 'Carnival of the Animals'
Almost three dozen dancers, aged 9 to 17, from Kansas Ballet will perform in the Japanese garden on April 24 and 25.
Stephanie Hesston, artistic director for the dance company, said the performances of "Carnival of the Animals" will be unique experiences designed by her and Alexander Smirnov to music composed by Camille Saint-Saens.
Each performance will last about 25 minutes, Hesston said. The performances, three years in the making, are excellent examples of what can happen when a private, creative arts organization partners with a community organization like the zoo, she said.
"Kansas Ballet is super excited to partner with the Topeka Zoo and offer a very unique version of the 'Carnival of the Animals' ballet," Hesston said.
Weekly yoga sessions in the Garden
Every Tuesday in April and March, private yoga instructor Kathy Damron will lead brief tea and meditation sessions in the garden, followed by 50-minute yoga classes.
"When people come here for the very first time, different people react in different ways," Wiley said. "You can't help but notice the beauty and you can't help but notice the different sounds the different waterfalls make. For many, a Japanese garden is a place for reflection, for meditation and now, for yoga."
"When people tell you that yoga is for everyone, the style in which we'll be offering yoga here at the Zen garden will be reflective of that," Damron said. "All you need to participate is an interest in enjoying the beauty and allowing the wishes of the late Justice McFarland to be realized — to let this be a place where you can be inspired."
Sessions will take place 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday in April, and 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays in May.
Additional events round out spring season for zoo
Twice each month, instructors from Leaping Llamas will lead classes on either water coloring or dry flower arranging, all held in the Japanese garden. Cupcakes and wine will be provided, although Wiley said there is a fee to participate.
On May 2, the zoo will host a version of the Children's Day typical each month in Japanese culture. The day will feature performances on the koto — a Japanese stringed instrument — as well as by a Japanese dance group. Food vendors will be on site.
As the pandemic starts to subside, Wiley said the zoo has seen a notable increase in traffic, with a well-above-average 23,000 visitors in March. He said the zoo anticipates that trend to continue especially as the weather gets warmer and the school year ends.
"We recognize that people are still looking for activities and things to do outside," Wiley said, "so we encourage people to check our website before you come to the zoo, and see the updated list of rules about how to visit the zoo as we hopefully approach the backside of this pandemic."