It doesn't look like a Japanese garden to me. It looks like some other kind of animal. Allowing it to slowly die in peace might be be kindest course of action.

I think pictures 1 and 3 come nearer than the others, with perhaps picture 2 - the 'teahouse/gazebo' having the least Japanese feeling. Rather than leaving it all to die in peace, I incline to the Capability Brown approach, which was to declare it "Capable of great improvement".

Incidentally, Sue has posted, in the Gallery, some pictures of other Japanese-style gardens that she saw on her visit to Texas.

Sue, it is not a traditional Japanese garden as known today, but it is an historical site worthy of restoration. And that is exactly what is happening. It was constructed in an old quarry, construction lead by a Japanese man named Jingu. It is quite a story, and was once the crown jewel of San Antonio. I will post more info soon.

Meanwhile, another neglected JG is being restored in San Antonio and I do not have time to breath!

Not all historical sites are worthy of restoration. There's likly a good reason why it is no longer the "crown" of San Antonio.