Bason Botanic Gardens walkway leads to Japanese tea house

A new pedestrian access is being built at Bason Botanic Gardens for Japanese tea house visitors.

Visitors to the Japanese tea house at Bason Botanic Gardens will soon be able to enjoy the "contemplative walk" that is part of the tea ceremony cultural experience.

The tea house was moved to the gardens in April 2015 from the former Nagaizumi-Wanganui Friendship Centre in Duncan St. However, pedestrian access to the tea house has been a concern with visitors having to walk on the roadway or down a steep bank.

Bason Botanic Gardens Trust chairman Terry Dowdeswell said a new walkway is being constructed from the area known as picnic flat alongside the ring road to the tea house.

"It's wonderful to see this section of walkway finally getting under way and it is another step toward completion of a walking route around the entire lake.

"The tea house 'came home' to a place of peace and nature when it moved to Bason Botanic Gardens and the new walkway will complete that move.

"The board, Whanganui District Council and contractors have been working hard to get the tea house fully functioning for cultural activities and integrated with the rest of the gardens.

"The walkway to the tea house and through the garden around it will encourage a leisurely and thoughtful passage which is part of the cultural experience for people invited to a tea ceremony."

The walkway, which is separated from the road, will feature viewing platforms across the lake towards the tea house and across the road to the wetlands.

The work has been funded through a bequest and is scheduled for completion in late August, weather permitting.