Surrey to install $280K art in Newton parks, honouring early Japanese-Canadian farmers of Strawberry Hill, fully funded by Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.
Sculptures Celebrating Heritage Coming to Newton Parks
Surrey City Council has approved the installation of two heritage art features honouring early Japanese-Canadian settlers in the Strawberry Hill area. Ontario-based artist Kellen Hatanaka will create the public artworks, valued at $280,000, to be displayed at R.A. Nicholson Park and Inouye Park in Newton.
Honouring the Past Through Public Art
The two sculptures, commissioned through an open artist call, are funded entirely by the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society (JCLS). The society was formed following a $100-million provincial commitment to address historical injustices against Japanese-Canadians. The initiative aligns with the National Association of Japanese Canadians’ BC Redress Project.
Locations Rich in Cultural History
R.A. Nicholson Park (12140 75A Ave.) will feature “Stone Fruit,” a cast bronze strawberry box with scattered stone strawberries. According to Surrey’s Parks, Recreation & Culture General Manager Laurie Cavan, the artwork represents the vibrant berry-growing legacy of Japanese-Canadian farmers in Strawberry Hill—and the trauma of their forced displacement during internment.
In nearby Inouye Park (8985 Queen Mary Blvd.), Hatanaka will install a bronze sculpture of a rural mailbox—symbolic of home, land, and the long fight for justice. The feature is inspired by Mr. Inouye, a local Japanese-Canadian farmer who wrote over 80 letters to the federal government to reclaim his property after internment. A boulder and plaque will display an excerpt from one of those letters.
Funding Secured Through JCLS
The project originated from a February 2024 presentation by JCLS to the Surrey Heritage Advisory Commission (SHAC), offering support for heritage site development. City staff submitted a proposal titled “Strawberry Hill’s Early Japanese Canadians”, securing $400,000 in funding. On July 9, 2025, SHAC formally endorsed Hatanaka’s designs.
Project Cost and City Contribution
The $280,000 project will be fully covered by JCLS, while the City of Surrey will contribute $58,000 in in-kind services, including project coordination, site preparation, and interpretive signage.
Legacy and Education for Future Generations
Both art installations aim to educate park visitors and honour the resilience of Surrey’s Japanese-Canadian community, which had around 500 members at the time of internment in 1942. A community celebration is planned for 2026, alongside additional heritage research and community consultation.
These projects mark a step forward in recognizing overlooked histories and offer a meaningful way to connect Surrey residents with the legacy of those who helped shape their neighbourhoods.
