An architectural rendering of proposed improvements to the entryway of the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens on the east bank of the Des Moines River. Architectural rendering by OPN Architects

A proposed $750,000 restoration of the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens along the Des Moines River would expand the attraction, create new flood-resilient landscaping and repair a colorful pagoda and surrounding statues, a Des Moines board learned today.

“It’s nice to see improvements being implemented and [addressing] the vandalism that’s plagued this site for a long time,” said Steve Wilke-Shapiro, a member of the Urban Design Review Board, which reviewed the proposed project at a meeting today held virtually. 

The Asian gardens are located along the Des Moines Riverwalk on the eastern bank of the Des Moines River, south of Interstate Highway 235.

The attraction has fallen into disrepair in recent years. In February 2017, a man with a hammer caused nearly $15,000 in damage to 29 sculptures at the site. Other damage has occurred to the three-level red and gold pagoda, a popular place for visitors and others to take photos. Floods have damaged the grounds, and limited upkeep has allowed the overgrowth of weeds and other plants.

The attraction, which opened in 2009, originally was developed by the Chinese Cultural Center of America. The site is a tribute to Iowa’s Asian-American population and honors former Gov. Robert D. Ray, who was instrumental in bringing Southeast Asian Tai Dam refugees to the state in the mid-1970s.  

The Chinese Cultural Center of America disbanded shortly after the gardens opened, prompting the Riverwalk Development Authority and city of Des Moines to work together to maintain the site with a $1 million endowment, according to city documents. The endowment was drained during efforts to maintain the site after flooding.

The Friends of the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden was formed to redesign the garden, repair sculptures, fountains, the pagoda and lights, and start a capital expense endowment that would pay for long-term care of the gardens.

Funding is in place for the whole project, which is expected to begin in the fall and be completed by mid-2021. Before work can begin, however, project plans must be approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Proposed improvements include:

• Upgrading the landscaping to include more flood-resilient and hardy plants and trees.
• Adding a rock garden lined with grasses south of the pagoda.
• Redesigning a water feature north of the pagoda into a wetland area.
• Expanding the gardens to the north, adding a crushed aggregate walking path and installing a wood-planked boardwalk that would zigzag around new landscaping features.
• Adding new lights and interpretive signage.

Members of the Urban Design Review Board, which approved the project’s preliminary design, asked that more lighting be added to the attraction to help deter vandalism. The board also wanted assurances that the hardy plants were planted in the attraction.

“Hardy plant material and maintenance concerns are important and because of the amount of donor investment being made in this, we want to do this right the first time,” board member Brian Clark said.

The project’s architect is OPN Architects in Des Moines, the landscape architect is Country Landscapes in Ames, and the civil engineer is Snyder and Associates in Ankeny.