After Sequim Sunrise Rotarians restored a couple of wooden benches in the Sequim-Shiso Friendship Garden at Carrie Blake Park, they decided the rest of the garden could use some work, too.

“Over the years the park’s condition has deteriorated and the Sunrise Rotary Club volunteered to restore it to its original state,” park restoration project manager and Rotarian Eric Mahnerd said.

The friendship garden symbolizes the relationship between Sequim and its sister city, Shiso, Japan. The garden was approved in 1995 and has since transformed into a peaceful area with ginkgo trees, cherry trees and multiple artfully designed pedestrian bridges that complete a path around the pond at the center of the garden.

Throughout the last week of August and into September volunteers from the Sequim Sunrise Rotary Club have worked more than 170 hours weeding the stream beds, clearing the path of debris and restoring the bridges and benches.

Although it will require a club decision, Mahnerd said he’d like the the restoration work at the garden to become an annual occurrence.

For information on the Sequim Sunrise Rotary Club, visit www.sequimsunriserotary.org.