By Gil Asakawa
On Saturday, May 22, the Denver Takayama Sister City Committee held its annual cleanup of the City of Takayama Park, located at South Colorado Boulevard and North Cherry Creek Drive. The committee welcomed 22 volunteers, both members and non-members, who came out to pull weeds and trim the bonsai trees at the lovely Japanese Garden in the park.
Experts from Denver’s Bonsai Club worked on the trees and trained other volunteers on how to maintain and “shape” the pines like artists making a sculpture. The committee will be hosting another park cleanup in the fall, and do it twice a year going forward.
The Denver Takayama Sister City Committee is a group with Denver Sister Cities International that promotes citizen diplomacy between Denver and Takayama, Japan, through activities including cultural exchange events and trips. Learn more about the Denver Takayama Sister City Committee at: denvertakayama.org.