In 2011, the Sister City Association, Bonneville County Master Gardeners, and local volunteers decided to build a Japanese Friendship Garden on the island, formerly known as Sportsmen’s Park. This garden commemorated the 30th anniversary of Idaho Falls’ association with its Japanese sister city, Tokai Mura. The beautiful stone lantern in the garden was given to Idaho Falls by Tokai Mura in the early 1980’s. (I have a picture of that in the video).

Due to the destructive and deadly earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan in March 2011, the Friendship Garden also became a tribute to the victims of that tragedy.