Temecula, Sister City Dignitaries Celebrate Twin Parks On Nicolas Rd

TEMECULA, CA — Two Temecula city parks on Nicolas Road have been revamped, and one was renamed to honor the 30th Anniversary of becoming twin sister cities with Daisen-Nakayama, Japan.

This week, on the 30th anniversary of that partnership, a Japanese delegation arrived to celebrate our connection with the twin cities across the Pacific Ocean. The group toured the town, sat in city meetings, and enjoyed a dinner at Longshadow Ranch Winery to cap off the visit.

To honor the partnership between cities, Nakayama Park, located at Joseph and Nicolas roads, was upgraded with new bike racks and a sign commemorating the sister city partnership.

The former Voorburg Park, located at Nicolas and North General Kearney Road, was renamed Daisen Park, due to its proximity "next door" on Nicolas Road.

"The City of Temecula holds Daisen, Japan in the highest esteem," city spokesperson Jeff Lawrence told Patch. "Our relationship with Daisen, Japan, was forged 30 years ago when our cities embarked on a journey of cultural exchange and understanding, sowing the seeds of a partnership that has blossomed into a rich tapestry of shared experiences and lasting bonds."

Officials from Japan and Temecula were at the park's grand reopening ceremony, Temecula Mayor Stewart over social media.

At the park opening, the group planted three California redbuds (Cercis occidentalis) and four Engelmann oaks (Quercus engelmannii). "Both trees are California natives and will thrive in Temecula’s climate," Lawrence said, upholding the tree planting tradition at the newly renamed Daisen Park on Nicolas Road.

"We decided to start the same tradition only with California native oaks for the 30th anniversary," Mayor James "Stew" Stewart said. "The new trees at Daisen Park are dedicated to each of our brothers and sisters from Japan."

The newly renamed Daisen Park, formerly Voorburg Park, sits at North General Kearney Road and Nicolas Road.