Photo By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Bunn | Sackets Harbor Mayor Eric Constance (right) reads a proclamation, June 16, to...... read more read more
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SACKETS HARBOR, N.Y.- The sun beamed down from the pale blue sky and a slight breeze carried the scent of flowers throughout the air. Birds chirped and bugs buzzed through the foliage as tourists, local citizens and village representatives gathered around the newest addition of the peace garden initiative.
The beautiful day, June 16, was appropriate for the dedication of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden which took place outside the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center on West Main Street in Sackets Harbor, N.Y.
The Peace Garden dedication is one of several such events that will take place throughout the Great Lakes region to celebrate 200 years of peace and longstanding friendship between Canada and the United States. Since the War of 1812, the two countries have shared the world’s longest undefended border.
“The Peace Garden is designed to attract international visitors as well as the residents of this historic region to experience and enjoy the natural beauty that a garden provides,” said Sackets Harbor Maj. Eric Constance. “A lot of time and effort by volunteers went into creating this particular garden.”
The major introduced Kelly Rienhardt, a Sackets Harbor Tree Committee chair person who was instrumental in the development of the garden.
“We designed it to complement the [existing] Main Street gardens,” said Rienhardt. “We made it a little bit different so there is a section that is the actual peace garden.”
“I am really proud of this garden and I am proud of my family for helping,” she added.
Paula Savage, the founder and director of the International Peace Garden Foundation said she was delighted to participate in this celebration of peace and the dedication of the peace garden in Sackets Harbor.
The first International Peace Garden was presented to the U.S. by Canada in 1990 as a gesture of friendship since both countries share the longest undefended border in the war since the war of 1812.
“We [the foundation] were established to foster peaceful ties between nations and the gardens are a tangible symbol of this friendship,” said Savage. “International peace gardens now span five continents and annually a new country is nominated by the
previous recipient country.”
Savage continued with a brief background of the Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail and how the idea developed.
“With the bicentennial approaching, the arts council of Buffalo, N.Y was aware of the foundation and our origins being linked to the War of 1812,” she explained. “They invited us to become the theme for an idea they were developing in the Niagara region to commemorate the bicentennial.”
“Originally the idea was to develop three or four peace gardens in communities along the Niagara River on both sides of the border,” she continued. “That was four years ago and the International Peace Garden Foundation saw the enormous potential in expanding this idea to include all areas that had historic significance connected to the War of 1812 and to make these gardens a permanent trail.”
“These gardens are not simply a place to meander and enjoy the fragrance of the flowers; their real meaning goes way beyond that. We hope through the gardens we can address issues of environmental appreciation, foster partnerships, provide a gathering place, and promote community pride and volunteerism,” Savage added. “They promote general wellness and give back to the community as a tourism attraction. They boost economic development, not to mention the educational value in which they are a model for the community youth and offer a meaningful learning experience. The benefits are boundless,” Savage concluded.
After the proclamation was read to commemorate the garden, Mayor Constance closed the ceremony with a few parting words.
“In closing, I would like to say the peace garden was dedicated today to all who serve in the U.S. armed forces. It’s a living monument and a gathering place. It’s to honor and remember our heroes. It is a symbol of peace, it’s a garden of hope, and it’s an international sharing of friendship. I want to thank you one and all for attending and I want to thank the many volunteers it takes to put this together and who help throughout the village all year round. It’s a great place to live and I certainly want to thank our Canadian friends for enjoying this with us. We are truly humbled by your dedication.”
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.18.2012 15:49 |
| Story ID: | 90203 |
| Location: | SACKETS HARBOR, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Peaceful gardens, by SSG Jennifer Bunn, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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