Peace Arch Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peace Arch Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Peace Arch Park, seen from the Canadian side
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| Location | Canada and United States |
| Nearest city | Blaine, Washington/Surrey, British Columbia |
| 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 |
Peace Arch Park is a very special park located right on the border between Canada and the United States. It's actually two parks in one: Peace Arch Historical State Park in the U.S. and Peace Arch Provincial Park in Canada. This park sits exactly where the two countries meet, near Blaine, Washington, in the U.S., and Surrey, British Columbia, in Canada. It's also where the land border reaches the Salish Sea on the Pacific Coast. The most famous part of the park is the Peace Arch monument.
The park is found at the Peace Arch Border Crossing, which is a busy place where British Columbia Highway 99 in Canada and Interstate 5 in Washington State in the U.S. connect. The Canadian part of the park is about 9 hectares (22 acres) big. It is looked after by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment. The U.S. part is about 20 acres (8 hectares) and is managed by the Washington State Park System.
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History of Peace Arch Park
People have been checking passports and goods at this border spot for a long time. This was happening even before the Peace Arch was built in 1921.
Why Was the Peace Arch Built?
The Peace Arch was officially opened in 1921. It was built to celebrate two important agreements. These were the Treaty of Ghent and the Rush–Bagot Treaty. These agreements helped the U.S. and Britain (which Canada was part of) solve their disagreements peacefully. They also led to the border between the U.S. and Canada becoming unguarded. This means there are no forts or soldiers along most of the border. The U.S. side of the park became a state park in 1931. The Canadian side became a provincial park on November 7, 1939.
Park During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the border between Canada and the U.S. closed for non-essential travel. This happened on March 21, 2020. At first, both sides of Peace Arch Park stayed open. This allowed people from both countries to meet there. However, more and more visitors came to the park. Because of this, the Canadian side, Peace Arch Provincial Park, had to close on June 18, 2020.
Even with the Canadian side closed, some visitors from Canada still found a way to enter the U.S. side. They would go directly from 0 Avenue in Canada into Peace Arch Historical State Park. U.S. border officials allowed these Canadian visitors to stay in the American part of the park. They could then return to Canada. However, Canadian border officials still required anyone crossing the border to report to them. This was to avoid any problems. An expert on immigration in Washington State said it was hard for Canadian officials to stop people walking across. This is because of the 1814 Treaty of Ghent. This treaty says that if barriers were put up at the border, the whole U.S.-Canada border would go back to how it was before the treaty. This means it would not be peaceful or unguarded.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Peace Arch Park is a great place for outdoor activities. You can enjoy walking around the park. It's also perfect for having a picnic with friends or family. There is even a playground for younger children to enjoy.
Visitors are allowed to explore both the Canadian and U.S. sides of the park. But it's very important not to leave the park area. If you cross the park boundary into the other country without permission from border officials, you could get into trouble. Even though there are no known cameras inside the park itself, border agents are always watching. They patrol in cars, on bikes, and on foot. There are also cameras on poles outside the park that can be moved to see different areas.
Park Events and Activities
The International Peace Arch Association (IPAA) is a group that works to protect and celebrate the history of the Peace Arch. This group organizes many events and activities in the park. One of their main events is the annual International Sculpture Exhibition. This show features amazing artwork from both American and Canadian artists.
