Rotary Peace Garden to open in Richmond on Sept. 19

The Rotary International Peace Garden at Richmond’s Garden City Community Park will open to the public Sept. 19, with a grand-opening ceremony from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will include a ribbon-cutting and remarks from Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, council members and former Rotary International president Jennifer Jones. The idea for the garden began after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Peace Garden chair Magdalen R. Leung said the garden is intended to remind visitors of the importance of peace, intercultural harmony and community belonging, particularly in light of mental-health effects associated with current world events.

Located within the park’s existing arboretum, the garden is designed as a place for quiet reflection and social connection. Its features include multilingual peace poles, a spiral pathway and plaza with donation pavers, a water feature, and a custom shade trellis with benches.

The park is at 6620 Garden City Rd. Attendees are asked to wear smart casual attire.