Peace Arch Park

Peace Arch Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Peace Arch Park, seen from the Canadian side
Location Canada and United States
Nearest city Blaine, Washington/Surrey, British Columbia
Coordinates 49°00′00″N 122°45′25″W / 49.00000°N 122.75694°W / 49.00000; -122.75694Coordinates: 49°00′00″N 122°45′25″W / 49.00000°N 122.75694°W / 49.00000; -122.75694
Area Canada: 9 hectares (22 acres)
U.S.: 20 acres (8.1 ha)
Established November 7, 1939
Governing body Canada: BC Parks
U.S.: Washington State Parks
The Peace Arch monument

Peace Arch Park is an international park consisting of Peace Arch Historical State Park in the United States and Peace Arch Provincial Park in Canada. The park straddles the international boundary between the United States and Canada at the extreme western end of the main contiguous section of the two countries' land border, where it reaches Semiahmoo Bay of Puget Sound on the continent's Pacific Coast.[1] The park's central feature is the Peace Arch.

The park is located at the Peace Arch Border Crossing (also known as the Douglas Border Crossing), where Highway 99 in British Columbia and Interstate 5 in Washington State meet. The park's northern portion is about 9 hectares (22 acres) and is managed by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment.[2] The southern portion is about 20 acres (8.1 ha) and is managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.[3]

History

The Peace Arch, dedicated in 1921, was the first such structure in the world to celebrate long lasting peace between two countries.[3] It was built on the International Boundary between Canada and the United States to commemorate the lasting peace between the two countries. The Canadian side was established as a provincial park on November 7, 1939.[2]

Recreation

Recreational activities include walking and picnicking as well as a playground for children. Visitors are free to explore the entire park on both sides of the actual physical border, but are warned not cross the boundary of the park to enter the adjacent country without being cleared to enter by the respective customs authority, as violators are subject to prosecution.[4] Although no known cameras are in the park itself, United States Border Patrol agents in cars, on bikes, and on foot inside and steerable cameras on poles outside watch the park.[5]

Events

The International Peace Arch Association (IPAA) (formerly the United States Canada Peace Anniversary Association) is a nonprofit association dedicated to the heritage and preservation of the international monument. The association hosts park events and activities including the annual International Sculpture Exhibition, which highlights the work of American and Canadian artists.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ There is a detached section of the land border a few kilometers (miles) west on the Point Roberts peninsula.
  2. 1 2 "Peace Arch Provincial Park". BC Parks. British Columbia Ministry of Environment. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Peace Arch Historical State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "International Peace Arch Association (IPAA)". Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Chapter 6: Washington State". United Divide: A Linear Portrait of the USA/Canada Border. The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Winter 2015.

Further reading

  • Clark, Richard (2005). Sam Hill's Peace Arch: Remembrance of Dreams Past. Bloomington, Ind.: AuthorHouse. ISBN 1-4208-5168-3.
  • Peace Arch Provincial Park BC Parks
  • Peace Arch Historical State Park Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
  • International Peace Arch Association (IPAA)
  • "Peace Arch Park". BC Geographical Names.
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