ADVISORY: The Ordway Gardens Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Friday, April 19 at 9:30am

The Ordway Gardens Open With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony  

WHAT:           A ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil The Ordway Gardens

The Ordway Gardens, a 2.8 million dollar building and landscape addition, will include 2,267 square feet of glass-enclosed interpretative exhibit and display space, and a 2,850 square foot outdoor terrace.  The new wing will enablethe Conservatory’s nationally-acclaimed Bonsai collection to be exhibited year-round. Both the pavilion and terrace will provide year-round views into the Japanese Garden.

 Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has one of the top ten bonsai collections in the nation. The Ordway Gardens now allows Como adequate space to display them.

 WHO:           Mayor Chris Coleman; Representative Alice Hausman; Senator John Lesch; Como Friends President, Jackie Sticha; Como Friends Campaign Chair, Litton Field; Parks Director, Mike Hahm; Como Campus Manager, Michelle Furrer; Vice President of Saint Paul - Nagasaki Sister City Committee, Carol Weston Hanson; Lionel Flood, President of the Minnesota Bonsai Society; former Japan America Society of Minnesota President, Takuzo Ishida; Executive Director of Japan America Society of Minnesota, Ben van Lierop; Major Gift Team, Russ and Nancy Nelson; Como Friends Chair of the Board, Anne Field will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to introduce The Ordway Gardens.

WHEN:          Friday, April 19^th at 9:30am

VISUALS:        Mayor and other dignitaries cutting the ribbon for the 2.8 million dollar Ordway Garden exhibit. The ceremony will be preceded and followed by traditional Japanese taiko drumming. Live entertainment begins at 10am in the Visitor Center Auditorium.

WHERE:          Como Park Zoo & Conservatory's Ordway Gardens, 1225 Estabrook Drive – Saint Paul, MN 55103

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