Manito’s New Bridge Over Tranquil Water $80,000 Traditional Arched Span Graces Japanese Garden
The tranquillity of Manito Park was interrupted briefly on Monday while workers hoisted a new footbridge into the Nishinomiya Japanese Garden.
A 190-foot crane picked the 4-ton bridge off a flatbed, lifted it over a row of 60-foot pines and eased it onto footings at the reflecting pond.
The wood-and-steel bridge was built in a shop before being trucked to the park Monday morning.
By noon, the 24-foot span was in place and workers were finishing the installation.
“Once it got picked up by the crane, it was easy,” said Mark Chilton, foreman with Ramminger Construction of Spokane.
The arched “ceremonial bridge” is striking in appearance. It was built of a long-lasting tropical wood called purpleheart, a name that accurately describes its intense color.
Sunrise Wood Products Inc. of Spokane used old-style joinery techniques on the deck, balusters and railings. A steel frame is hidden underneath.
The bridge replaces an older span that had weakened from age and rot.
Two other deteriorating bridges that connect walkways to a small island are being removed.
The idea is to reduce the clutter of bridges and enhance the garden’s landscape.
In designing the new bridge, park officials hired Masa Mizuno, a Japanese garden consultant from Portland.
“This (bridge) is very traditional to this style of garden,” said Jim Flott, who manages Manito Park.
Spokane’s Japanese Garden is landscaped in the strolling-pond style, intended to embody nature through the vision and skill of the gardener.
The $80,000 project was financed jointly by the city, Spokane Parks and Recreation Foundation, Friends of Manito and Associated Garden Clubs.
Crews practiced hoisting the bridge into place several weeks ago. The steel frame was hauled to the park and lifted into place to make sure installation of the finished span could be completed. Workers also checked that the bridge matched the concrete footings at the pond.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo