Our Project
The proposed Tai Chi Meditation Garden will be located within the serene McConnell Arboretum & Gardens at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, CA.
The 55-foot diameter hard surface will showcase a Yin Yang symbol covering the surface of the court. The proper name for the Yin Yang symbol is "Tai Chi Diagram" and serves as an inspiration to practice the graceful art of Tai Chi. This iconic symbol embodies the harmony between opposing yet complementary forces in nature, such as light and dark, hard and soft, and hot and cold.
The original design was prepared by Hsien-Yuan Chen, who is an architect and member of the Maryland Tai Chi club, and was used for the creation of the David Chen Memorial Tai Chi Court in Cabin John Regional Park located in Rockville, MD. With Mr. Chen's permission we have used his design as a model for our Tai Chi court.
The only other public Tai Chi court that we are aware of is in Arthur Story Park in Houston, Texas. The Redding Tai Chi Meditation Garden would be the third Tai Chi court in the United States and the only one on the west coast of its design.
Turtle Bay Exploration Park has offered us a building site within the McConnell Arboretum & Gardens opposite Charlotte's Bridge. The site is a short 10 minute walk from either the Sundial Bridge or from the western entrance of the McConnell Arboretum & Gardens.
Use:
Use of the Tai Chi Meditation Garden would not be exclusive to Tai Chi practitioners but would be multi-purposed, used on a first-come, first-served basis. It would also be used for yoga, Qi Gong, dance, and other activities.
Cost: Our current estimate for building in the McConnell Arboretum is $175,000, which is $50,000 less than our original estimate. The lowered cost is due to the decision to use stamped concrete instead of the labor-intensive laying of flagstone. We are actively seeking donations and funding for the project.
Maintenance Budget:
The Tai Chi Meditation Garden promises to be a low-maintenance oasis for passive recreational activities, with minimal impact on the operation budget. Thanks to its hard surface, it doesn't require supplemental irrigation, and its one-degree slope ensures proper drainage. The stamped concrete surface, sealed with clear sealant, creates a beautiful mosaic that incorporates expansion joints for added durability.
Charles Votaw of the Wu Wei Tai Chi Club in Rockville, MD, said their Tai Chi Court requires only occasional leaf blowing and spring power washing. The Redding Tai Chi Meditation Garden is expected to be equally easy to maintain, with yearly sealant application as the only upkeep required.
Construction of this inspiring space will commence as soon as we secure full funding, with the goal of starting in 2023. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goal of creating a peaceful haven for our community.