Spring has arrived and stress levels rise along with the mercury during this time of year. The Japanese Garden, located at 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. in Fort Worth, offers an escape to those trying to get away from the hassles of everyday life. A walk through the gardens provides sights, sounds and smells of tranquility. As I entered through the third gate (the three gates are symbolic of heaven, man and earth) I was in complete awe at the beauty that lay before me. My camera, though completely manual, never stopped clicking. This is heaven in Fort Worth. I was the proverbial kid in the candy store. Walking along the winding trails I had to keep an eye on the many giddy children playing in the garden. The children’s only concern seemed fixed on being able to play with and feed the many fish in the pool. The children disregarded the rest of the world as they intended to enjoy the spring day. My other eye I left transfixed to the eye piece of my Vivatar. I did not intend to leave with out capturing the essence of this oasis in the heart of a hurried city life. As I continue on my way I encountered one glorious splendor unveiling after another, strategically placed to achieve harmony through natures beauty. Japanese maples line many of the trails. The color was just beginning to show, which only enticed my appetite to experience the scenery in it’s full splendor. Spring — the budding of new life — starts this chain over and we have the chance to observe its raw beauty just down the road.

The Japanese Gardens are open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for adults (ages 13 and over) are $2.50 weekends and $2 weekdays. Tickets for children (ages 4 to 12) are $1 all week. Children under 4 are free