Yuko-en On The Elkhorn

Back in Chicagoland, I used to visit forest preserves and nature sanctuaries whenever I had a free moment on a sunny day. Getting that dose of nature was just what I needed to refresh on a consistent basis. Out here in rural Kentucky; well, most people find nature on their farms or country drives. There aren’t forest preserves or wild animal sanctuaries. Since I moved into my apartment and winter melted away, I’ve been desperate for a little bit of nature.
After some inquiries and a search for somewhere to escape to during lunch, I heard about Yuko-​en On The Elkhorn. I checked it out one afternoon and loved it! Sooooo thrilled that Georgetown has a quiet outdoor place to walk around and soak up a little bit of nature!
It’s a small Japanese garden tucked away next to a semi-​busy road on the north side of Georgetown. There’s a few trails, a beautiful building with rental space for classes and events, koi ponds, waterfalls, and plenty of trees to sit under. That’s pretty much it, but it’s lovely.
Very cool find, indeed.

When I first moved to Georgetown, I was intrigued that they had a Japanese garden. It seems like such a unique thing in a small town. This place is so cool. There are koi ponds, waterfalls, a walking trail, lots of places to meditate and a neat building that can be rented out. It looks like a great place for wedding pictures. It’s beautiful in the spring and fall. I love to come here and take a short walk.
This place is so neat and has so much potential. I feel like so much more could be done with it, but it is maintained by volunteers who work for free. I can imagine all kinds of neat classes in the central building and nature workshops they could do. It’s an underutilized gem.

I was worried this place was gone, as its web presence is nonexistent. However it is there and it is fantastic. It’s small, but well-​used and peaceful: a real slice of Japan in Kentucky. They were doing some improvements when I visited, but it was in fairly good shape overall. There are a few waterfalls, koi pond, rock garden, a big central building for classes, and a few small shelters. It took less than half an hour to see it all, but this is more of a sit and relax, read, or draw kind of place.
You can enter through the main gate off Cardome where the lot is, or walk under the bridge from the park on the other side of North Broadway.
All in all, worth a detour to go here.