TIM'S CORNER

Greetings from an increasingly sunny International Peace Garden! The days are getting longer, and anticipation is building for another beautiful summer along the 49th parallel.

Now is the time to reserve your campsite (or cabin through April 15) and purchase your annual or lifetime membership as you make plans for all four seasons.

Why all four seasons? Our Conservatory Expansion is nearing construction completion in April and the Don Vitko Collection of cacti and succulents is greening as bloom season approaches. We are excited to begin welcoming the collection’s many fans, but our talented and dedicated staff will need time through this summer to establish the new landscape and ensure the more than 5,000 plants are comfortable and able to thrive.

We appreciate your patience and support as the pandemic and supply chain issues delayed this incredible project. We want to see you and your family in the new space as soon as possible! Grand Opening is set for December 9, 2023, but stay tuned as we hope to continue making great progress for earlier public access in late summer and fall.

The Conservatory and its year-round offerings will be just one component of a growing Turtle Mountain region. Our unique area of Manitoba and North Dakota is recovering from difficult pandemic years that limited tourism, but our neighboring communities, businesses and attractions are coming together May 4 for a tourism conference hosted at IPG. Consider visiting our wonderful towns on both sides of the border as you make your way to and from the Garden!

Be sure to read about our volunteer opportunities and events in this newsletter and our website www.peacegarden.com.

Tim Chapman, CEO

CONSERVATORY UPDATE

The Conservatory Expansion continues to go through exciting stages of progress every week. As concrete work nears its conclusion, we are eagerly awaiting the addition of soil in the massive new beds. You can almost smell the plants as you traverse the newly poured walkways and gathering spaces.

Enjoy these photos and contact the Garden to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

TURTLE MOUNTAIN TOURISM CONFERENCE – THURSDAY, MAY 4

The Turtle Mountain Tourism Summit, sponsored by Travel Manitoba with support from North Dakota Tourism will take place on May 4, 2023 at the Burdick Center for the Performing Arts. The International Peace Garden is excited about working with our partners across Manitoba and North Dakota as we look to build on the incredible Canadian and American towns and attractions that draw thousands of people to our region annually. Our Keynote Speaker Ben Winchester, a Rural Sociologist with the University of Minnesota Extension, will join other speakers and panelists to highlight the strengths of small towns and how working together benefits the entire region. This event is FREE! Register for the Turtle Mountain Tourism Conference today.

STAY AT THE GARDEN ALL YEAR ROUND - CABINS AND CAMPING RENTALS

The International Peace Garden invites you to rent a cozy cabin and explore our winter trails with hiking and cross-country skiing. Newly built three and four-bedroom cabins provide a comfortable stay for your getaway. Cabin rentals are available through April 15.

Cabin and camping photos – in email

Start booking your campsite for the summer now. Stay onsite at one of our 36 campground sites or in our overflow camping sites perfect for tent camping. Sites fill up fast so make your reservation early.

Campsites accommodate small tents as well as large RV’s
Many of these sites are surrounded by aspen and oak trees
All sites include a picnic table and fire pit

Book your campsite online today!

Country Catering will be serving the scrumptious buffet:

Roast Beef
Chicken Breast in Cream Sauce
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Green Beans
Corn Salad
Pasta Salad
Dinner Roll
Blueberry Crumble Bars
Mini Cheesecakes

The brunch will be $25.00 per person. Reservations are recommended but not required.

$25.00 per person. $11.00 for kids 12 and under.

Canadian Reservations

US Reservations

Are you planning on attending all or a few of the brunches and dinners at the Garden in 2023? If you are, here are a few options for you!

Package 1: All 4 Events

$140 – includes all 4 brunches/dinners (Mother’s Day Brunch, Father’s Day Brunch, Fall Celebration Brunch & Harvest Dinner)

Package 2: 3 Events

$110 – includes the Harvest Dinner and 2 brunches (Mother’s Day OR Father’s Day OR Fall Celebration)

Package 3: Table for 8 people at 1 dinner

$600 – 8 guests at the Harvest Dinner. Please note that the table will be reserved and purchased under one name.

To take advantage of one of the packages, please contact our Administrative Assistant and we will be happy to take your reservation!

CHILDREN’S NATURE PLAY AREA

Enjoy a full season of play at the Children’s Nature Play Area. Opened in in 2022, the Children’s Nature Play Area is perfect for a family’s day of fun. Children of all ages are encouraged to have a hands-on experience in the new Children’s Nature Play Area. The play area features a theme of animals native to the Turtle Mountains, where the Peace Garden is located. Components include climbing nets in the turtle area; bridges, dams, and lodges in the beaver zone; and a wolf-themed gathering circle with a fire ring at its center. Local indigenous communities will develop content that incorporates traditional teachings and native storytelling into each of the park’s play areas.

GALA IN THE GARDEN

SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, August 26 for the Gala in the Garden. More details to follow. This will be another spectacular event to gather at the Peace Garden, similar to our Gala in 2019.

RECIPROCAL ADMISSION'S PROGRAM

VISIT MORE GARDENS WITH THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

A current membership card from the International Peace Garden, the American Horticultural Society (join now) or from a garden participating in our Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP) entitles you to special admission privileges and discounts* at 345+ gardens throughout North America! Click here to purchase your IPG annual membership and learn more about how your membership opens up your world to wonderful gardens.

VOLUNTEERS - JOIN THE WORKER BEES

We are looking for Worker Bees of all ages and abilities. We ask that children under 16 be accompanied by a parent or adult. Our volunteer program opportunities are wide-ranging and include tour guides, informational greeters, general maintenance, and handyperson (painting & small repairs like picnic tables, etc.), garden helpers, front gate workers, and event support. We are also looking for volunteers for our membership table, ushers, ticket takers, and assistants for children's activities.

We have opportunities for group workdays and individual hours of service every day of the week. Let us know how you would like to help, when you are available, and we can identify projects that align with your interests.

Worker Bees will receive free admission to the International Peace Garden, 15% off any purchase at the Peace Garden Gift Shop and the Peace Garden Cafe, and for every 24 hours of volunteering, you will be entered into a draw for a one-night stay at one of our cabins, to be used from Oct. 15, 2023 to Apr. 14, 2024.

Join the Worker Bees

Please follow the link to complete the online form, and I will connect with you to plan your volunteer opportunity. If you have any questions, please email Debra McCallum at coordinator@peacegarden.com.

LOOKING SHARP IN 2023 - FLOWER BED THEME

The International Peace Garden is excited to offer new sponsorship opportunities in 2023 as part of our ‘Looking Sharp’ theme. Sponsoring our stunning annual flower beds, planters or hanging baskets offers great visibility for your business or service organization. Sponsorship can also be made to honour your family’s legacy at the Garden or in memory of a loved one. Our talented and hard-working horticulture team has designed more than 50 beds with sharp geometric forms.

To find out more about the Adopt-A-Flower-Bed sponsorship, click here and view the beautiful designs and sponsorship levels.

PROUD OF OUR PEACE GARDEN PARTNERS

Within the Peace Garden you’ll find the International Music Camp Summer School of Fine Arts and the North American Game Warden Museum, featuring historic information and significant artifacts. for the wildlife protection professions. Both of these partners are a big draw to the Peace Garden and we are excited to welcome all to the Peace Garden this year.

Thank you for all of your help and support of the International Peace Garden. We are a non-profit organization committed to advocating for peace.