Kerrice Mapes

Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Kay McFarland’s dream was to leave a legacy gift of a world class Japanese garden in the capitol city of the state she served. Kay’s garden is a destination filled with serenity and breath-taking views. It offers inspiration, contemplation and serves as a venue for life changing and everyday experiences. Kay’s Garden cost $6,640,000. The Kay E. McFarland Living Trust established funds that paid for the project costs and established a permanent endowment fund of to maintain the garden into perpetuity.

Kay’s Garden

Please visit her garden at 635 SW Gage Blvd · In the Topeka, Kansas

In addition to the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden at the Topeka Zoo, Chief Justice McFarland supported developing Lasting Legacy Online for her life story and for others to tell theirs. The Gallery of the Event Center in Kay’s Garden tells only a little of her story. Trustee, Elaine Schwartz, knew for people who visited her garden, they would want to read her whole story. For a year and a half before the Chief passed at the age of 80, Elaine interviewed her each week to both check on her health and to create this wonderful story.