Peace Tree Reserve
A cutting of a plant that survived the Nagasaki bombing and has been lovingly been cared for over the past 16 years is one of the key features at Peace Tree Reserve.
The 0.23ha reserve on the corner of Silicon Way and Pacific Drive was purchased in 2006 when the development of the area was getting underway. In 2021 it was developed to make the site the permanent home to a cutting that survived the 1945 Nagasaki bombing.
The cuttings were gifted to all New Zealand cities in 2006 as part of the "Mayor for Peace" initiative composed of cities around the world that had formally expressed support for the 'Programme to Promote the Solidarity of Cities toward the Total Abolition of Nuclear Weapons'.
Palmerston North's cutting had been sitting at the council's nursery, where it's been lovingly cared for over the years.
At one end of the reserve New Zealand natives are on show, and then a boardwalk connects to a Japanese themed garden. Different Japanese-style plants are on show surrounded by a pebble pathway. There are small stones which face large rocks to symbolise good luck and prosperity. There are also Yukimi-gata lanterns to provide light to the peace tree cutting, which sits in the Japanese garden. The fence has seven horizontal palings which symbolise good luck.
The reserve has a natural theme to it, with wooden picnic tables, swing seat, playground, swings and a drinking fountain.
Location
Peace Tree Reserve, Silicon Way, Fitzherbert 4410 View Map
-40.397011176649734, 175.65681459754217
Peace Tree Reserve, Silicon Way ,
Fitzherbert 4410
Peace Tree Reserve, Silicon Way ,
Fitzherbert 4410
Peace Tree Reserve