A zen garden meant to honor the first Japanese American immigrants to San Francisco is drawing opposition from neighbors, reports CBS5.
The garden is proposed for the Western Addition of San Francisco which includes Japantown. The community has become more gentrified of late with many young urban professionals attracted by the Victorian homes in the area.
The Executive Director of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center spearheaded the project. Paul Osaki says many of the original Japanese families were forced out and their homes leveled due to redevelopment after World War II.
The garden is planned for the only open space in the area on Cottage Row.
Some question the claims the area has any connection to Japanese American history. Another woman said the concern was about maintenance and the garden’s design.
“The opposition or the criticism hurt because I know what…the earlier generations must have felt.”Osaki said fighting tears.
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