Map of the National Peace Site located in Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol, California.
Page 1 of 2, key to the map of the National Peace Site located in Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol, California.
Page 2 of 2, key to the map of the National Peace Site located in Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol, California.
An aspiration for the world.
Volunteer work hours for the National Peace Site located in Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol, California.
Languages of the Peace Pole at the National Peace Site located in Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol, California.
Aerial view of the National Peace Site located in Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol, California.
1. Boulders. First proposed by Chuck Kallander (d.1999) and installed with a bequest from his estate, these rocks were donated by Monan's Rill, a Pacifist community. They symbolize the clashing boulders which guard the waters of life. They are related to the brass placards on either side of the entry.
2. Fence. Also designed and mostly built by Chuck Kallander (who once worked as a nuclear engineer at Mare Island, near Vallejo), the fence has four openings, yet still "contains" the Peace Site. Its outward points show the 16 compass directions. The pine tree marks North.
3. Sign and Myrtle. The empty space above "A National Peace Site" was planned to be the Peace Site Name. Negotiations with Pomo Indians (whose ancestors once camped here) for a Pomo name have never been concluded. Suggestions are welcomed. Behind the sign is a myrtle bush, which is rich in mythological significance. The Welsh believe, for instance, that myrtle by the entrance door keeps peace and love within the house.
4. Benches and Path. Each bench bears a brass plaque, either in memory of some peacemaker or stating an epigram regarding peace. They lie along a spiral path which follows the "chi" flow of the site and takes you to its heart.
4. Benches and path. Each bench bears a brass plaque, either in memory of some peacemaker or stating an epigram regarding peace. They lie along a spiral path which follows the "chi" flow of the site and takes you to its heart.
The information board with map, and printed materials has a plaque inscribed with these words, "We are the earth, our path is peace." The olive tree is to the right of the information board.
5. Olive Tree. Universally regarded as the tree of peace, this olive was planted by Veterans for Peace, chapter 71, on Memorial Day, 1992.
6. Gravenstein Apple. Brought to the site for a ceremony on April 17, 1999 by Fathers of the Eastern Orthodox Church, from Fort Ross, California which is located 22.5 miles to the Northwest (see #12). Re-grafted Spring 2006.
7. Rosa Rugosa. Planted by students from Sebastopol's sister city in Ukraine, Chihirin, on August 16, 1996.
8. Southern Bench. When sitting on this bench you are surrounded by memorial plantings, lavender, oregano, mughopine, roses, even stones, all are reminders to friends and family of departed loved ones.
9. Pear Tree. A survivor, like the central chestnut and the persimmon tree near the Gazebo, of the Ragle Ranch orchard. This tree is 1/2 Bartlett Pear and 1/2 wild rootstock. The wild and the domesticated seem to hold each other in an embrace.
10. Rock Garden. A memorial to the Peace Activist, Danaan Parry, installed by Earth Stewards of Sonoma County, an organization Mr Parry Founded. Dedicated June 29, 1997.
11. Blue Spruce / West Garden. The Colorado Blue Spruce was planted by the grandson of Cyrus Eaton, Industrialist and Peacemaker, who founded the Pugwash Conferences in 1957. The surrounding garden is dedicated to Peace Activist, Woody Schwartz.
12. Grapevine. Brought to the site by Fathers of the Roman Catholic Church from the Northern-most Spanish mission, in Sonoma, California, 22.5 miles to the South-East, this grape was planted in a ceremony of reconciliation on April 17, 1999 (see #6). A line was drawn between the Russian outpost of Fort Ross and the Spanish outpost of Sonoma would pass right through the Peace Site, at the angle shown by the grape and apple.
13. Peace Pole. May 8, 1988, donated by a group meditating on world peace, in conjunction with a world-wide meditation emanating from Mt. Fuji. Rededicated July 6, 2008 an 8-sided pole by the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Committee of the Sonoma County Center for Peace and Justice. The proclamation, "May Peace Prevail On Earth," is on the Peace Pole in 8 languages: Hebrew, English, Spanish, Japanese, Pomo, Russian, Swahili, and Arabic.
13. Peace Pole. May 8, 1988, donated by a group meditating on world peace, in conjunction with a world-wide meditation emanating from Mt. Fuji. Rededicated July 6, 2008 an 8-sided pole by the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Committee of the Sonoma County Center for Peace and Justice. The proclamation, "May Peace Prevail On Earth," is on the Peace Pole in 8 languages: Hebrew, English, Spanish, Japanese, Pomo, Russian, Swahili, and Arabic. Shown in this photo are Arabic, Hebrew, and English.
13. Peace Pole. May 8, 1988, donated by a group meditating on world peace, in conjunction with a world-wide meditation emanating from Mt. Fuji. Rededicated July 6, 2008 an 8-sided pole by the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Committee of the Sonoma County Center for Peace and Justice. The proclamation, "May Peace Prevail On Earth," is on the Peace Pole in 8 languages: Hebrew, English, Spanish, Japanese, Pomo, Russian, Swahili, and Arabic. Shown in this photo are Spanish, Japanese, and Pomo.
13. Peace Pole. May 8, 1988, donated by a group meditating on world peace, in conjunction with a world-wide meditation emanating from Mt. Fuji. Rededicated July 6, 2008 an 8-sided pole by the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Committee of the Sonoma County Center for Peace and Justice. The proclamation, "May Peace Prevail On Earth," is on the Peace Pole in 8 languages: Hebrew, English, Spanish, Japanese, Pomo, Russian, Swahili, and Arabic. Shown in this photo are Pomo and Russian.
13. Peace Pole. May 8, 1988, donated by a group meditating on world peace, in conjunction with a world-wide meditation emanating from Mt. Fuji. Rededicated July 6, 2008 an 8-sided pole by the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance Committee of the Sonoma County Center for Peace and Justice. The proclamation, "May Peace Prevail On Earth," is on the Peace Pole in 8 languages: Hebrew, English, Spanish, Japanese, Pomo, Russian, Swahili, and Arabic. Shown in this photo are Pomo, Russian, and Swahili.
14. European White Birch. Planted by Russian Peace Walkers in 1989.
15. Laurus Nobilis. This species (culinary bay) was the source of laurel wreaths used to crown victors in the original Greek Olympic Games. This laurel is dedicated to the memory of Peggy Warnick (d. June 24, 2001).
16. Sculpture. "Prayer for Peace" was selected from 52 entries and dedicated, May 23, 1998. The sculptor, Masayuki Nagase, says of this piece: "The standing granite slabs represent hands, so that a person can stand between them while facing the third piece with carved water waves symbolizing the source of human spirit and consciousness."
17. Japanese Black Pine (Pinus Thunbergiana). Donated by Anne Magnie during her term as Mayor of Sebastopol (1988 and 1994) to honor Japanese sister city, Yamauchi-Machi.
18. Laurus Nobilis. This was one of the first plantings in the Peace Site. It was donated and installed by Brownie Troop #51.
19. Redwood Bench - Clad in Copper. Commissioned from Bruce Johnson, a sculptor who donated his time and energy collaborating with three young apprentices from the Art Start Program in Santa Rosa. The figures in copper are variations on the theme of River. Installed Summer 2006.
20. Chestnut Trees. The center and treasure of the Peace Site, watered by overflow from the "Prayer for Peace," these trees were near death when the site was founded in 1987. A "Daughter" Tree stands on the shoulders of her "Mother," her roots exposed by the splitting open of the parent tree's trunk. This botanical metaphor embodies the urge to protect our children from the scourge of the world, including war.
The National Peace Site located at the Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol, California is home to a variety of plants and animal life.
