Walking or jogging through Riverfront Park, you may get a serene feeling as you enter the Peace Garden.
You might see garden coordinator Gwen Lehman in the dirt, volunteering her time to give some love to the various flowers planted throughout the natural, tranquil space. Or maybe you have only seen the garden as a blur through the car window while traveling down N. Front Street.
As May brings its sun and warmth, Peace Garden will begin to show its true magnificence, offering an oasis of calm and beauty amidst the busy city.
Up for the Challenge
Peace Garden traces its roots to 1990, when Harrisburg pediatrician James Jones returned from a gathering of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War in Hiroshima, Japan.
“The co-founder of [IPPNW], Dr. Bernard Lown, challenged us to create parks to affirm life’s fragility and the human spirit’s resilience,” recalled Jones, who at the time was president of the Harrisburg-Hershey chapter of U.S. affiliate Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR). “There are many parks and statues dedicated to wars, battles and soldiers, but few to the protection of the environment and the pursuit of peace.”
He came home inspired and ready to act and was met with a positive response from members of PSR and city officials in Harrisburg.
The physicians envisioned an artistically designed, natural public space with annual and perennial plants, striking sculptures and a coming together as a community.
“The Peace Garden planted flowers and trees for beauty and ideas promoting peace, justice and the environment, in plaques and sculptures overlooking the beautiful Susquehanna River,” explained James.
Local organizations, churches, rotary foundations and social clubs donated the plaques.
“[The donors] really represent a broad spectrum of Harrisburg,” said Lehman. “As stated on the dedication plaques at each of the designated, three-block areas along the beautiful Susquehanna River, the Peace Garden is dedicated to the pursuit of peace and the preservation of our earth.”
The overall message, she said, is that the natural world, nations and the welfare of individuals are inextricably linked.
“We hope that people take the time to stop and read the messages on plaques,” she said. “They are some of the most thoughtful ideas from people all over the world.”
A Major Joy
Writer, artist and oral surgeon Frederick Frank—who worked alongside Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Africa—created life-size sculptures depicting the infamous destruction in Hiroshima, while allowing viewers to reflect on the power of new life and hope that is born after horror.
Long-time coordinator Michael Lehman designed the main garden beds when PSR first created the Peace Garden. Five years ago, Gwen Lehman took over as coordinator, and, each year, along with PSR volunteers, leads the task of planting all of the flowers and beautifying the garden.
“Physicians for Social Responsibility is primarily in charge of the design, maintenance and upkeep, but the Peace Garden has been a true partnership with the city of Harrisburg,” said Lehman, explaining that the city provides the land, water and some mowing. “They have been great to work with during these 20 years. This is a really positive public/private partnership that I’d really love to see more of.”
This cooperation has allowed Harrisburg-area residents to take time away from their busy lives and to be inspired and to enjoy the peace that only nature can offer.
“I feel good when I’m there, partly because of its beauty and partly because of the inspiration of the things I read when I’m there,” said Lehman. “It is a major joy for me.”
Planting and pruning, she experiences first-hand how much the garden has touched people.
“Almost always, someone stops with appreciation or they call things out as they are running by,” she said. “I think people really do appreciate the fact that there is a place like this in the city. Sometimes, people will hand me $20 while I’m working.”
Lehman also believes that the Peace Garden brings people together in a community who otherwise can be alienated from one another.
“There are typically deep divisions in greater Harrisburg, between people who are financially challenged and who are not,” she said. “Peace Garden is really a space where all aspects of our community come together. We all need to be reminded of the power of ideas for good, and I think natural beauty is the most effective way of taking us outside of ourselves.”
Keep Peace Alive
Maintaining the Peace Garden takes a large commitment of resources.
PSR has a core group of volunteers dedicated to ensuring that the garden continues to thrive, but, as with any volunteer effort, donations of time are much needed, especially around the middle of May.
“In one day, we’ll put in about 1,000 individual plants,” Lehman said. “That’s the time of greatest need in terms of physical labor.”
PSR also needs volunteers who can help with routine weeding in the summer, she added.
And, of course, donations are always welcomed.
“This is an expensive endeavor, to put in the number of flowers we plant every year,” said Lehman. “We put in the irrigation system, which was expensive. We hire a landscaping company to do heavy lifting for us, and they edge all of the beds.”
Each October, PSR holds an annual banquet, which is a major fundraiser for the garden. Also, it has established an endowment fund through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities to help support the work.
“All the funds to carry out the mission are privately provided by Physicians for Social Responsibility, other individuals and organizations,” said Jones.
Those wishing to donate funds to the Peace Garden can do so by contacting The Foundation for Enhancing Communities at 717-236-5040 or by visiting www.tfec.org.
For more information about the Harrisburg-Hershey chapter of the Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Peace Garden, visit www.psr.org/chapters/harrisburg.
