Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center | Kay McFarland Japanese Garden

The breathtaking Kay McFarland Japanese Garden is a 1.7-acre garden at Topeka Zoo in Topeka, KS that features traditional koi ponds, lush landscapes, seating areas, bridges, and trails that immerses visitors in a Japanese environment. Four different waterfalls add to the ambiance, each adding a different melody to the garden. The airy and elegant venue can hold 300 guests for a variety of events and is a new revenue-generating opportunity for the Topeka Zoo. Construction was completed in Spring of 2020.

Project Details

Inspired by Japanese gardens throughout the world, the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden brings 13,500-square-feet of water gardens, koi ponds, running streams, bridges, and lush landscapes that blends seamlessly into its surroundings and be a place of serenity for all who enter. The TESSERE team worked closely with the project donor and Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice, Kay McFarland, to fulfill her dream of creating a garden that allows the community to reflect on the beauty of nature. Natural elements, high arching ceilings, and large windows to let in abundant natural light give the event center an elegant and enchanting feel. TESSERE provided architecture, construction administration, interior design, landscape architecture, and project management to the project.