International Peace Garden, History and Progress

              up to the second or Terrace Panel. They are bordered by Asiatic E l m hedges
which are assuming attractive pyramid form. Beyond these hedges to the north
and south are several rows of Lilacs that bloom well into July, bordered by a
row of American Elms that are giving height to these plantings. Beyond are
two rows of Amur Maples that i n the autumn flaunt their- flaming colors to the
skies. Outside these plantings are parking grounds, marked by stone curbs.
Terrace Panel
The plans prepared by the National Parks Services call for seven terraces
with seven stone retaining walls, and an ornamental pool i n each terrace. These
pools are to be on the Boundary Line, and the water will flow from one to the
other down to a pool in the Sunken Garden. From this pool, it will be pumped
back to the first pool i n the upper terrace, to start on its rounds again.
The first terrace is bounded on the west by three massive granite walls, each
109 feet long. The centre wall is 10 feet from the concrete footings to the top
of the pilasters, and each wall is topped with iron balustrades. Flagstones form
the floor of this 312- foot terrace. The ends of the terrace are closed in with
stone walls topped by iron balustrades. The four- inch spaces between the flag­stones
have been filled with grass sod, making a pleasing promenade. The I. O. D. E.
is making its splendid contribution to the development of the Garden by financing
the iron balustrades and part of the flagstone terraces on the Canadian side.
The Garden House on the American side of this terrace has been completed,
with its stone walls three feet thick and ten feet high. It is 32 x 34 feet, with
large openings from which one can view the entire formal area. Only the footings
of the Garden House on the Canadian side have been constructed, due to
lack of funds.
The stairs which lead from the upper ten- ace to the lower terraces are stone,
13 feet wide and 67 feet long. Commencing at the ends of the centre retaining
wall, they partly encircle the grounds around the second pool. The treads on the
stairs are sawn granite from South Dakota, as are the caps on the pilasters and
the curbs on the main walls. Two steps of sawn granite treads, 70 feet in length,
lead from the second to the third terrace.
Most of the heavy masonry construction in the Terrace Panel has now been
built. There still remains the Canadian Garden House, four low stone walls, each
190 feet in length, four comparatively small pools and a concrete channel 380
feet long, to carry the water from the third pool to each of the four following
pools. Waterside plants will be placed around these pools and along the water
channel. Planting of shrubbery and trees on the terraces was commenced i n 1953.
Sufficient land has now been prepared and is ready for planting 3,000 additional
shrubs. When the above has been completed, the Terrace Panel will have been
converted from a draftsman's dream to stone walks, pools, stairs, turf plots, trees,
shrubs, and Garden houses, which even now are attracting many visitors from
near and far.
Park Areas
Each year the trees planted in the Park Areas give more definite character
to the Garden. This year three hillsides along the drives were selected for
replacement of the native growth with some 250 cultivated shrubs. The Planning
Committee of the Garden have deliberated on the details of development of each
new unit sponsored by organizations. The Order of the Eastern Star, Manitoba
section, improved their Picnic Kitchen by having two coats of oil put on the logs
and by erecting a low wall around part of the kitchen,. and consideration is being
given to their suggestion that a drive be made to link the " In- road" at the
southeastern corner of Lake Stormon with fhe " Out- road" at the picnic kitchen.
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