Normandale Japanese Garden
A tranquil garden of ponds, bridges and stone paths on a college campus, open to the public and popular with photographers.
The place
The Normandale Japanese Garden is a landscaped garden on the campus of Normandale Community College in Bloomington. It features ponds, waterfalls, bridges, carefully pruned trees and stone, and paths that wind around the water. It is a quiet place for a short walk and a favourite with photographers, including for wedding and graduation pictures.
Events
The garden itself is primarily a place to visit rather than an events venue, but it is used for photography sessions and occasional college and community occasions. Because it sits on a working campus, check with the college for any restrictions on access or photography at particular times.
History in brief
The garden was created in the 1970s and has been cared for since by the college, with help from volunteers and supporters in the community. It has become one of the best-known features of the campus.
Visiting with mobility equipment
The garden is compact, which suits people who cannot walk far, but paths include slopes, steps in places and some uneven surfaces typical of garden design. Choose the main paths, take care on bridges in wet weather and ask the college about the nearest accessible parking and toilets.
Good to know
- Morning and late afternoon light are best for photographs.
- Weekend afternoons in summer can be busy with photography groups.
- Benches make it easy to sit and enjoy the garden without walking the whole loop.
AHDnet is not affiliated with Normandale Japanese Garden. Programmes, opening times and access arrangements change, so check the venue’s own information before you visit. The accessibility notes above are general suggestions, not an access audit.