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Legacy of Several Lifetimes Nikkei Senior Gardens officially opens due to the diligence of five men.
In the heart of the San Fernando Valley, amid shrimp cocktails, champagne toasts and balmy 80-degree weather, Nikkei Senior Gardens celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon. After a decade of preparation, planning and building, blood, sweat, tears, setbacks and money issues, even a stroke couldn’t stop the primary vision of five men from seeing fruition. Those men? Harold Muraoka, the founder; Harry Nakada, the right hand man; Toji Hashimoto, the president; Bruce Louden, the VP; and Eric Sato, who managed the finances. Several years ago, Hashimoto recalled his own parents’ experiences with senior housing and believed that there had to be something better. “We didn’t have any money,” Hashimoto told the Rafu Shimpo, “so we went to the [San Fernando Japanese American] community center and asked if they would be interested in building this thing. There was one man, Harold Muraoka. He had this dream as well because of his mother. He jumped on it. He got the board to approve it, and everything else. He got money and loans to buy the land.” Muraoka along with Hashimoto, Nakada, Saito and Louden, persevered through $25,000-a-month loan interest, loudly vocalized reservations from many who thought another senior center was not needed, and the myriad of problems that come with such a massive undertaking. Thursday, their dream was fully realized. “I’m here to thank the community and the community members who helped with this project,” said Nakada. “If it wasn’t for all of you and God’s prayer, we wouldn’t have this beautiful building here.” “All of you” included over 300 people in attendance who were able to enjoy the many amenities of the Nikkei Senior Gardens including the beautifully designed and uniquely tranquil garden itself. Designed by landscape architects, Frank Tanaka and Stan Fukunaka, the garden is the focal center of the complex. It offers a tranquil haven, an area where residents can connect and build community. Nikkei Senior Gardens features 68 assisted living apartments, ten memory support apartments, a mini movie theater, a beauty salon and several balconies and sitting areas. In a word, the facility is gorgeous. The theater has a 60-inch LCD television, with plush furniture. The balconies offer views of the garden. There’s even an area where residents can plant and grow their own garden. Located a short block away from the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, residents will have the convenience of Metro bus lines, a post office, retail stores and a major shopping center nearby. “My hope is that the people here will be treated with respect, a lot better than some places,” Muraoka said. “We’re trying to be Asian-based, though anyone can come here to live.” With a choice of either a Japanese or western menu for three meals, fitness classes, social activities, scheduled transportation, and maintenance-free living, the cultural, community-building experience that Nikkei Senior Gardens’ forefathers envisioned has been established. Muraoka, in attendance, but unable to speak due to a recently suffered stroke that has left him confined to a wheelchair, let his son do the talking. “This is a testament to your lives,” the younger Muraoka said to his father, Nakada, Louden, Sato and Hashimoto while speaking on behalf of his dad. “Your legacies will be determined by what you leave behind to improve the lives of others.” Seeing the care, craftsmanship, design, beauty and polished product that is Nikkei Senior Gardens, it’s more than fair to say that these mens’ legacies will enrich many lives and last many lifetimes. Nikkei Senior Gardens is located at 9221 Arleta Ave. in Arleta. For more information, visit www.NikkeiSeniorGardens.com or call (818) 899-1000. |
