The winter storm that hit Grand Forks on Oct 11-12th 2019 left a wonderful mix of autumn colors with the fresh snow. The blue sky with wisps of clouds also helped to frame a beautiful experience here today. Sat.Oct 12th 2019
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Japanese Gardens Sertoma Park

4.4
Β·88 reviewsΒ·Grand Forks, United States

A tranquil Japanese-themed garden within Sertoma Park, featuring a pond, bridge, and unique Miyawaki forest.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer mornings

Experience full bloom potential

CrowdLow
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The winter storm that hit Grand Forks on Oct 11-12th 2019 left a wonderful mix of autumn colors with the fresh snow. The blue sky with wisps of clouds also helped to frame a beautiful experience here today. Sat.Oct 12th 2019

Japanese Gardens Sertoma Park

Best Time

Summer mornings

Experience full bloom potential

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A tranquil Japanese-themed garden within Sertoma Park, featuring a pond, bridge, and unique Miyawaki forest.

4.4
(88 reviews)

"A peaceful and beautiful garden with a pond right in the middle of Grand Forks."

Vertical photo
TIP

πŸšΆβ€β™€οΈ Gentle Stroll

Enjoy a peaceful walk around the pond and garden elements. It's a small but lovely space.

🌳 Miyawaki Forest Discovery

Explore the unique Miyawaki forest project for an added ecological experience.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.4 Β· 88 reviews

Type

Garden

πŸ‘Ά Good for kidsβ™Ώ Wheelchair accessibleπŸ…ΏοΈ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Peaceful Pond & Bridge

Peaceful Pond & Bridge

Center of the garden

A serene pond with a picturesque bridge, offering a tranquil focal point for reflection.

Japanese Lanterns & Rock Fixtures

Japanese Lanterns & Rock Fixtures

Scattered throughout the garden

Authentic Japanese garden elements that add to the serene and cultural ambiance.

Miyawaki Forest Project

Miyawaki Forest Project

Adjacent to the garden

An innovative urban forest project, showcasing dense, native trees for ecological benefit.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Tranquility

Discover a peaceful escape within Sertoma Park. While some find it a bit understated, others praise its quiet charm for relaxation. Best enjoyed when you're seeking a serene moment.

Manage Expectations

This isn't a sprawling botanical garden, but a collection of Japanese-themed elements. Appreciate the lanterns, rock features, and a charming bridge for a pleasant stroll.

Best Times

When
Summer mornings
Why
Experience full bloom potential
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoons
Why
Golden hour beauty
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

πŸšΆβ€β™€οΈ Gentle Stroll

Enjoy a peaceful walk around the pond and garden elements. It's a small but lovely space.

🌳 Miyawaki Forest Discovery

Explore the unique Miyawaki forest project for an added ecological experience.

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Playground Nearby

Kids can enjoy the large playground adjacent to the garden area.

πŸ§˜β€β™€οΈ Unwind and Relax

This is a great spot for quiet contemplation and unwinding after a busy day.

Tips

from all over the internet

πŸšΆβ€β™€οΈ Gentle Stroll

Enjoy a peaceful walk around the pond and garden elements. It's a small but lovely space.

🌳 Miyawaki Forest Discovery

Explore the unique Miyawaki forest project for an added ecological experience.

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Playground Nearby

Kids can enjoy the large playground adjacent to the garden area.

πŸ§˜β€β™€οΈ Unwind and Relax

This is a great spot for quiet contemplation and unwinding after a busy day.

What Travellers Say

4.4
(88 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the Japanese Gardens Sertoma Park to be a peaceful and quiet escape within the larger park. While some note it's not an expansive garden, its serene pond, bridge, and traditional elements are appreciated for relaxation. The adjacent playground makes it a good spot for families, and the Miyawaki forest adds an interesting ecological touch.

"Neat Japanese garden and Japanese themed structures in the middle of Sertoma Park. Very quiet place, great for relaxing or unwinding after a long day. Big playground for the kids, or plenty of grassy space for them to run. I would definitely return if I'm in the area."

Ben Pecarina

"You walk through the Tori gate and....well you're left scratching your head. Where's the garden? At first we were left thinking the very weedy patches of trees was it. But you wander around and you'll find a couple of Japanese Garden staples..lanterns, rock fixtures and a bridge. Small but a nice walk around. Bonus they put in a Miyawaki forest project. Do a Google search to learn how this urban forest project works."

Ted Jeo

"It was a nice little park, but far from a japenese garden. It was a pond with a few rocks around it and a couple ornate stone sculptures and that was it. No unique trees or plants, they didn't even have japenese lilacs which are common in the area. I think a chinese restaurant is probably more ornate than this garden was."

William Meyer

What People Like

Peaceful and quiet atmosphere
Serene pond and bridge
Adjacent playground

What People Dislike

Smaller than expected garden
Understated landscaping

Frequently Asked Questions

πŸš‡ πŸ—ΊοΈ Getting There

The Japanese Gardens are located within Sertoma Park in Grand Forks. Access is straightforward via park roads. Parking is generally available near the playground and main park areas.

Public transportation options to Sertoma Park may be limited. It's recommended to check local Grand Forks transit schedules or consider ride-sharing services.

The walking paths around the garden are generally paved and relatively flat, making them accessible. However, some areas might have uneven terrain.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, entry to the Japanese Gardens within Sertoma Park is free. It's a public park space.

As part of Sertoma Park, the gardens are generally accessible during daylight hours. There are no specific posted hours for the garden itself.

The gardens can be visited year-round, but their aesthetic appeal may vary with the seasons. Summer and fall are often highlighted for their beauty.

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

Visitors can expect a pond, a bridge, Japanese lanterns, rock fixtures, and a Miyawaki forest project. It's a smaller, themed area within the larger Sertoma Park.

Reviews suggest it's a smaller, more intimate garden rather than a sprawling botanical space. It's described as a 'nice little park' or 'small but a nice walk around'.

While the garden itself is for quiet enjoyment, Sertoma Park has a large playground nearby, making it a good combined outing for families.

Yes, photography is welcome. The serene setting with the pond, bridge, and themed elements offers lovely photo opportunities.

The Miyawaki forest is an innovative method of planting dense, native trees to create a small, fast-growing urban forest. It's an interesting ecological addition to the park.

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

There are no dining facilities directly within the Japanese Gardens. However, Grand Forks has various restaurants and cafes accessible by a short drive.

Picnicking is generally allowed in Sertoma Park. You can find grassy areas nearby to enjoy a meal, though specific picnic tables might be limited near the garden itself.

πŸ“Έ πŸ“Έ Photography

The bridge over the pond, the Japanese lanterns, and the serene water reflections are popular photo subjects. The Miyawaki forest also offers unique textures.

Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local park rules or FAA guidelines before flying a drone in Sertoma Park.

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