Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens

Spray paint everywhere no respect broken monuments seems like we cant get people to clean it up pond is dirty too. Fix the small things and it will be beautiful.

Small but beautiful spot, right next to the river and a cool bridge overlooking downtown Des Moines!

What an amazing display of Asian architecture in Des Moines, IA! I only rated it 3 stars for its current condition. However, I have PHENOMENAL news for all of you. The Robert S. Ray Asian Gardens are preparing to receive the needed attention to bring this treasure to the forefront once again.

What a beautiful treat. Sometimes I forget that Des Moines has these little treasures through out. The garden is gorgeous and the views of the river and downtown are beautiful too. Its so close to the trails and shopping in the East Village.

Very cool place. Feels like it could use some love though

I love it here. I have a couple picture of here too and it really is relaxing. I enjoy it here.

A very nice Asian Garden by the river in the heart of Des Moines, IOWA.The areas is super clean and the structure is well kept. The famous bridge for women is also nearby so its a perfect one stop location for taking photos and creating memories.Its a must see place.Enjoy!

This was a decent stop if youre already in the area. I wouldnt go out of my way just to see it.

Mystical and surreal. Very nice place I just happened to stumble upon in my travels of Des Moines.

Very nice building, with good landscaping and on a walking trail with the bride on it. There was a lot of litter in the water, so somebody should clean that up, but otherwise, it was a 5

Very peaceful. Some lights broken, plaques removed, trash in the ponds, and no waterfalls. Disappointed in the upkeep.

This place is so peaceful. Being new to Iowa and visiting landmarks.

It was nice. The sad part is people are putting graffiti all around the area and trash everywhere. People need to have more respect for art work. And the fountains and waterfalls were not on. That was sad.

One of my familys favorite places to go

A small Asian garden with an iconic Chinese pavilion on the eastern bank of Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines. Despite being called an Asian garden, there only seems to be Chinese elements represented in this garden. Not that its a bad thing--given that most people think of Japanese tea gardens as the quintessential Asian garden. The inside of the pavilion is hollow and not decorated, so photos are best taken around/outside of the pavilion. Otherwise, a nice spot to visit to get some Asian looking photos in the middle of Iowa.

Good place to be, can do yoga, quiet place and peaceful, you can see Des Moines river.

Beautiful park in Des Moines, definitely worth the visit. Make it a day of riding rental bikes on the river. Gorgeous sites.

So sad to see this place is not being kept up. Trash everywhere.

Cool place to pull over and walk through. The pagoda is quite beautiful and affords a scenic view of the city across the river.

Go their for a date realy fun

So amazing. Great detail on the pagoda. Too bad the waterfalls werent in operation

Fun family getaway, grandkids enjoyed it

Really great outdoors space. Loved the pagoda. Great place to relax, watch the river, or just enjoy the peace and quiet.

I wish i have such a well maintained beautiful asian garden, no entrance fee, lots of free parking there, and the riverfront view kicks its romantic feel up a few notches.

In desperate need of maintenace and repair. Im sure at one time this was a beautiful place but it has fallen to the wayside. Fountains dont work, lights are broken.

Is a small park and has small sculptures. Is cute.

Such a beautiful little area this was at one time. Vandalism has marred most of the ornate marble. Maybe a go fund me can restore it to its former glory. Still beautiful and fun to explore.

Its a very pretty scenery to walk by on. But the river definitely worth walking by and viewing and makes for a pleasant walk. Also close to some other items to explore as well. May need some maintenance and weeding should be done but it was around fall areas and it wasnt bad. Overall the actual area is cleaned and pretty.

Such a surprise to fin. Lovely little park to walk through. Peace and tranquility

It was very beautiful and perfect backdrop for out photoshoot fun during Anime Iowa

Lovely, a must visit by locals and tourist. Reminds me of San Francisco and Seattle.

Beautiful little garden. Unfortunately, its location makes it prone to vandalism, but it is still beautiful and worth the visit.

Nice place to walk around and see sceneries of downtown Des Moines such as Des Moines river, bridges and the skyline.

The view of downtown is absolutely amazing. I wish i had a better camera.

Cute little stop youll spend like 5 mins

A small, but beautiful Asian garden and pagoda.

Its open. And beautiful in the daytime. Theres some damage but it doesnt take away from a quick place to stop and enjoy the river.

Great place to walk, take pictures, & enjoy the scenery.

It is quite run down. Over grown with weeds and no maintenance.

One of our family favorite weekend walk area. Such a nice scene with flowers blooming in the spring, rock garden, river view, fall season also look amazing here, too. I really amaze at the architecture and designed of this place. Walking distance to botanical garden, women of achievement bridge, rotary riverbank park. I hope we raise enough fund to fix this place and get the ponds to work properly with Iowa weather. I think its will look a lot better with the ponds and waterfalls completed.

Nice place good food

Nice place to go for an afternoon walk and relax.

Where I got married

Great place for contemplation. Its a bit run down and could use some restoration work. Sad to see such a beautiful area decaying.

Beautiful evening for a walk

Small temple right next to the Des Moines river. Great walk

This area is great for short walks with the family. Unfortunately, it seems to be only moderately maintained.Though beautiful, when we visited in the fall it had apparently not been cleaned I quite some time, and there were a lot more spiderwebs than expected.Additionally, a lack of any nearby public restroom facilities here could be an issue if you have small children.

It is a nice place to visit. Not much to do but take a look but the river is a nice backdrop.

Its a nice change of scenery thats close to downtown. Nestled back from the commotion. Allows for a relaxing atmosphere.

This is a nice walk. Some vandalism but still beautiful.

Nice view of the river and bridge from there. The Chinese calendar stones are also hopd

It was really pretty far away. But as you got to it you notice none of the ponds are on, and its being taken over by weeds. And the stones and the structure were damaged

Pretty cool spot

Great little place but would be better with 24 hour lighting

Beautiful views right off the river and has many spots to just chill out, warning Police get very aggressive at closing to boot you out.

Neat Pagoda, but not much else to see. We did walk over to the nearby bridge and actually spent more time there.

Its small, but such a cute spot in the city and close to other cool things. I love that parking is free and there is no fee to attend. I thought it was unique and special.

Small but beautiful, has great view of the city.

Nice view

I love this beautiful little garden! It is really close to the botanical gardens, pedestrian bridge, and right off the bike path. The gardens are well maintained. I highly recommend visiting if in the East Village area.

Very nice space, however, lots of damage to the marble. It a shame that people have damaged this place

Beautiful sculpture work and plaques to help illustrates the meaning as well as the donors. Definitely a destination shot when hiring downtown Des Moines.

Nice area along the river. Has been vandalized - marble posts broken off, water fountains destroyed so they dont work, etc. Nice spot of shade when walking along the river.

I love taking photos here! Best around sunset!

Free and beautiful

Took photos for a pre college stay with the family, excellent scenery and a nice bridge right next to it for pictures as well.

Its a very cool place to visit

Nice! Beautiful river backdrop. Very pretty lights all around at night.

Loved the place. Romantic

Very relaxing to just walk around and be at peace.

Beautiful gardens, unfortunately theres been some vandalism.

Great original design, much local $$ help to build it, but now subject to vandalism, and lack of maintenance

This bridge and garden is so pretty right along side the river in downtown Des Moines

Pretty but there has been a lot of vandalism done to some of the statues.

Im sure it was beautiful at one time, but its in a bit of disarray. With cleanup and straightening on the items in the garden in would be really nice. The location on the river is great.

Nice spot to walk.

Wonderful place to sit quietly.

Some people have tore it up part of it

It smelled bad there but its cool.

Very Cool place.

It would have been better if it were cleaner and the beautiful statues were not vandalized. It is so sad to see the disrespect.

An ok place to visit, but pretty beat up. Did not seem like anyone really was a caretaker. Des Moines has some much to see. This I would not go to again.

Great little place along the river.

Pretty cool in Des Moines

Super sad someone has stolen all the concrete statues off all the pillars down there

Very neat place to visit. Had no idea this stuff was even there. To bad it was so cold.

Beautiful place ! Needs to be cleaned up lots of trash.

Beautiful bridges and great city view

This is a beautiful place! Only sad thing is its littered with vandalism and its so sad to see...such a shame!

Another must-shoot area for all photographers. Beautiful scenery and majestic sculptures make for a wonderful visit.

It was amazing and therapeutic really!

Great scenery, little gem between the Botanical Garden and Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge. Relaxing view of the Des Moines River

Really enjoyed the Gardens. I had some downtime at the Grow with Google event.

Best place to have fun, if you do enjoy outdoor life..this is a place you should check out..

Beautiful gardens, overlooking the Des Moines River and downtown Des Moines. This park is named in honor of one of Iowas favorite govonors, Robert D. Ray. He was well-known for being a humanitarian with the Vietnamese refugees at the time.

Shame that there seems to be some neglect on the upkeep. Much smaller than anticipated.

Best place in town to take some nice photos no mattwr if its your car it something else.

Small, but nice garden. Easy to get to and park, close to the walking bridge to downtown.

Serenity

My son got his senior pics there. Great place