The International Peace Gardens straddle the border between the United States and Canada between North Dakota and Manitoba.
It was dedicated in 1932: TO GOD IN HIS GLORY, we two nations dedicate this garden and pledge ourselves that as long as men shall live, we will not take up arms against one another.
The Civilian Conservation Corps did most of the early construction.
There are 2300 acres to explore. We started our exploration on the Canadian side which is forested with water features and more natural in nature, taking the loop twice during our visit. In some ways I preferred the wild areas with the trees and birds. However, the formal gardens are beautiful and I enjoyed walking around to see everything.
We saw an immature northern flicker as well as adult northern flickers. We tried to stop for every bird and I enjoyed seeing birds near our picnic table at lunchtime.
Around the formal garden ponds there were many Northern Leopard Frogs.
The Interpretive Center and Conservatory had a good gift shop, restaurant as well as cactus and succulents from around the world.
The formal gardens were a delight to explore. I talked to someone who visits every year. He told me the plantings are unique every year. He also told me that the Peace Towers in the background of the first photo have deteriorated and will be removed at some point.
I could not leave without stopping to photograph the floral clock. We spent half our day here and considered it well spent.
No comments:
Post a Comment