The Riverside International Friendship Gardens sit at the north end of Riverside Park along the La Crosse River just as it merges with the Mississippi and Black Rivers. It's beautiful, but most importantly, it brings you around the world to visit seven unique gardens, each designed to honor one of the sister cities of LaCrosse, Wisconsin:
Luoyang, China Dubna, Russia Forde, Norway
Friedberg, Germany Bantry, Ireland
Epinal, France Kumbo, Cameroon
As you journey through you will find a Moon Gate in the Chinese garden, an Alpine Hill in the German garden, a Le Pinau statue in the French garden, hidden trolls in the Norwegian garden, a Besedka in the Russian garden, a water wheel in the Ireland garden, and a fascinating Mami Wata (Mermaid) Fountain in the Cameroon garden and much more. And, more than likely, you'll leave with a desire to visit one of these special places someday.
A good source for learning more about the design and plantings in each of the gardens is an audio tour that's available on their website. Each one was uniquely planned to resemble the gardens and to honor cities that are located thousands of miles away.
For each of these sister cities, there is a story of bonding and friendship between ordinary people. They include numerous cultural exchanges between teachers, students, technicians, musicians, athletes, health care professionals, businesses, and more. People sharing their talents to make this a better world.
The Riverside International Friendship Gardens were made possible by the joint efforts of the City of La Crosse Parks Department, the Bluff Country Master Gardeners, and the International Friendship Garden Board of Directors. It started about 17 years ago by just a few master gardeners who had a vision. Volunteers continue to meticulously maintain the gardens.
The Friendship Gardens are quiet and peaceful for all to enjoy. And if you care to linger, you can always find an available seat on one of the little stone benches. I know, because I walk through this special place every day.
The gardens are free and open daily from 6 am to 11 pm.
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