Letter From the Executive Editor
Why we're supporting Hakone Gardens
And why we hope you'll join us
As part of this newspaper's commitment to strengthen Saratoga, Silicon Valley Community Newspapers has made a special commitment to Hakone Gardens. We believe it's worthwhile to preserve and reinvigorate a unique and internationally significant horticultural resource, as well as an important part of the city's cultural and natural landscape. And we hope you do, too.
Unlike public gardens elsewhere, Hakone has neither an endowment nor a public budget to pay for its upkeep. In 1997, the City of Saratoga determined that it could no longer afford to pay for the gardens' maintenance. Since then, parking fees, facility rental charges, private donations and the profits of a tiny gift shop have paid for the gardens' staffing and operations. Thanks to the efforts of a small staff and a dedicated group of volunteers, Saratoga's taxpayers have benefited from more than a million dollars in savings and investment.
The Hakone Foundation, while financially independent, has operated under the Saratoga City Council's direct authority. The foundation's quasi-governmental status provided an additional challenge to efforts to engage in long-term planning or fundraising, as other nonprofits do.
With both costs and expectations rising in this expensive and increasingly sophisticated region--and deferred maintenance looming--Hakone would soon be unable to maintain a world-class garden and remain financially solvent. For this reason, the foundation has negotiated a long term lease, under consideration by the City Council, that will allow the foundation to raise funds to improve the gardens and the operation. The new arrangement is expected to be formalized next month.
This is good news for the city and anyone who enjoys strolling through gardens of redwoods, camellia and bamboo, leaning over a wooden rail to observe the turtles and koi, or participating in an authentic tea or incense ceremony. For without a secure legal foundation and funding base, Hakone will remain a precarious, financially strapped, hand-to-mouth operation.
There is other good news as well. Revenues from visitors to the garden are up, gift shop sales have risen, and business meetings are emerging as a new and important revenue category. In addition, under new executive leadership, the garden has begun to appear on the radar of corporate philanthropists.
We think that the Saratoga community should support this effort to preserve Hakone Gardens and help it reach its potential. Residents can join as foundation members, and, this week, we are making it easy to do so by publishing a membership application in this week's News.
The locally-owned company that publishes this newspaper, has, for the past decade, contributed both financial support and in-kind donations to the Hakone Foundation. I've also volunteered to serve as a foundation trustee, and for the past year, as its president.
Saratoga residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind cultural amenity in their midst, and it both needs and deserves local support at this critical juncture. Hakone is one of the only authentic 16th Century Japanese gardens in North America, and it is known around the world. When visitors from other states and countries visit Hakone, they should see a garden that is maintained at the highest level possible, for that is a statement about the quality of the community where they have come to enjoy a few of life's more rewarding moments.
That's only possible with a strong community support, expressed in the form of a membership base. If you are currently a member of the Hakone Foundation, please renew or consider upgrading your membership. If you are not currently a member, we encourage you to join the Saratoga News and other community leaders in making a strong statement that Saratoga is a world-class community with something meaningful and enriching to share with visitors and neighbors.
Also, if you are free tonight (Wednesday, Aug. 30), stop by the Hakone Gardens Cultural Exchange Center at 21000 Big Basin Way at 7 p.m. for the foundation's annual meeting and potluck. There will be a full report on its progress and goals, along with beverages and entertainment.
Dan Pulcrano
Executive Editor/CEO Silicon Valley Community Newpapers
Saratoga, California Since 1955
