A new Bowmanville Peace Pole will be dedicated at the park on the former Bowmanville Zoo lands on September 21, the International Day of Peace.
The public ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the new neighbourhood park at 45 Barley Mill Crescent. The two-metre white pole is a gift to the Municipality of Clarington from the Rotary Club of Bowmanville.
Its central message—May Peace Prevail on Earth—will be presented in English, French, Ojibway, Mandarin, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic and American Sign Language.
Installation designed to reflect the community
Bowmanville Rotarian Joe Solway told INdurham the project was intended to reflect both the wider world and Clarington’s diverse community. Peacebuilding is one of Rotary’s focus areas, and the club approached the municipality about placing the permanent symbol in the newly opened park.
Mayor Adrian Foster is expected to attend the dedication. In comments published with the announcement, he described the installation as a symbol of a safe, welcoming and inclusive Clarington.
The Bowmanville club joins Rotary organizations in many countries that have installed similar poles in parks, school grounds, places of worship and other public spaces.
Peace Pole movement began in Japan
The international Peace Pole movement grew from a message developed by Japanese peace advocate Masahisa Goi after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Organizers estimate that more than 250,000 poles have since been placed around the world.
The Bowmanville installation is designed as a lasting feature of the park rather than a temporary event display. Its multilingual message is intended to encourage reflection on understanding, inclusion and peaceful communities.
The September 21 dedication is open to the public. Residents planning to attend should be considerate of the surrounding residential neighbourhood and follow any parking or access directions posted at the park.
Sources: INdurham; World Peace Prayer Society
