The Keeper of Valley’s Sylvan Oasis

There is a place you can go during these waning days of summer where egrets rest next to a lily pond and weeping willow branches dust the surface of a shimmering lake. You can relax under an arbor in a Zen meditation garden or feel the cool mist spraying from a tumbling waterfall.

The Japanese Garden, a 6 1/2-acre oasis surrounded by busy boulevards, is considered by those who frequent it to be a cool place to stroll on a hot day. Just ask Bob McElroy.

The 77-year-old retired businessman has walked the garden’s pathways--leading tours of schoolchildren and seniors through the sylvan sanctuary--for 10 years. Nobody knows its 700 carefully placed boulders and authentic, hand-carved stone lanterns better than he.

“The garden is the best-kept secret in the Valley,” McElroy said as he pointed out a bright pink crape myrtle tree decorating the far side of the lake. “There’s no place more relaxing.”

Not that McElroy would know a great deal about relaxation. The Sherman Oaks resident often spends four days a week or more at the garden, where he served as docent chairman for two years and is now in charge of the gift shop he helped establish.

“Bob’s a ball of fire,” said Gene Greene, the garden’s manager. “You couldn’t hire someone as good as he is. He comes here simply to improve our program.”

The soft-spoken volunteer, a New Mexico native, became involved with the idyllic haven after reading about it at the Sepulveda Garden Center, a community garden in which he’s raised vegetables for more than a decade.

McElroy had recently retired from a series of successful business ventures--he and his partners at one time operated a number of restaurants--and sought an outlet for his business and aesthetic interests.

After serving on the garden’s advisory board and as docent chairman, McElroy focused his attention on raising funds for the garden by creating a gift shop. He and his fellow volunteers bought their first display cases in 1994. The shop, situated in the administration building, now holds 10 cases stocked with volunteer-crafted vases, visors, greeting cards and about 100 other items.

The funds generated by the gift shop go toward improvements at the Japanese Garden and the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, one of the city’s four sewage treatment plants. Tillman’s reclaimed water fills the Japanese Garden’s lake and the recreational lake in nearby Balboa Park.

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Through McElroy’s efforts, the garden also offers a ceremonial tea service at the traditional Shoin Teahouse, situated at the far end of the lake.

“Bob practically lives here,” said Sophia Cohen, a gift shop volunteer. “He’s charming and knowledgeable and very helpful.”

The community service spirit apparently runs in the family. Lila, McElroy’s wife of 54 years, has served as a volunteer docent at the J. Paul Getty Museum for 22 years.

“Volunteer work keeps us busy. I love it,” said McElroy, who was honored last year with a city of Los Angeles Outstanding Volunteer award. “When the flowers are in bloom here, there’s nothing like it. It takes me far away from the hubbub.”

The Japanese Garden is at 6100 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys. For tour reservations and information, call (818) 756-8166.

Personal Best is a weekly profile of an ordinary person who does extraordinary things. Please send suggestions to Personal Best, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Or fax them to (818) 772-3338. Or e-mail them to valley.news@latimes.com.