Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens

Information
Art Type
Media / Materials
Collection
Year Completed
2009
Location
Latitude & Longitude
41.593256, -93.617249
Location Description
Situated on the east bank of the Des Moines River on a 1.7 acre site provided by the City of Des Moines, south of the Botanical Center, across the river from the Iowa Events Center.

Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens

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The Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens features a 43.5′(L) x 24′ (W) x 37′(H) Asian pavilion atop an undulating bridge spanning a pond that cascades into the Des Moines River with a series of waterfalls. Accented by stone pagodas, lanterns and sculptural rock formations, the Asian garden’s flowing lyrical ambiance transports the strolling visitor to a picturesque Far Eastern paradise.

Diversity Circle is located at the south end of the Gardens.

The Character Garden features six large granite boulders arranged in a circle, each carved with Chinese characters representing responsibility, citizenship, fairness, respect, caring, and trustworthiness. Complemented by bonsai-like evergreens, the character boulders symbolize and extol the six enduring moral values that transcend time, nationality and culture.

 

The Gardens not only highlight the importance of diversity in the community and acknowledge the contributions that Asian Americans have made to Iowa, but it serves as a lasting monument honoring Robert D. Ray (1928 – 2018); Iowa governor from 1969 to 1983 . Governor Ray’s visionary leadership and humanitarian out reach. The Gardens are dedicated to the man who was the first public official anywhere in the United States to offer the endangered Vietnamese “Boat People” a safe haven; created Iowa SHARES to send food and medicine halfway around the world to feed starving Cambodians; kept the Tai Dam of Loas intact as a people and a culture by arranging for them to resettle in this state; and welcomed so many other people from all countries of Asia to become Iowans.

Under the inspired compassionate leadership of then Governor Robert D. Ray, in the 1970s Iowa responded to three refugee challenges, providing more leadership to America and the world, and saving 1,000s upon 1,000s of people from Asia from starvation and death. Governor Ray was also in the forefront of building strong relationships with China, Japan and other countries of Asia, both while serving as governor and following his time in office.