Canberra-Nara Park

The Canberra-Nara Park opened in 1999.  The Park is a symbol of friendship between the sister cities of Canberra,
built as the national capital of Australia in the 20th century, and Nara, the capital of Japan in the early 8th century.

Set on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the park features traditional timber structures, stone lanterns and other features
of a Japanese garden including a dry stream bed.

It is the wish of many people in Canberra that this restful place be formally known as Canberra-Nara Peace Park. 
However, this has not yet occurred because of perceived sensitivities lingering from World War II.

We believe that the wishes of the people are reflected when the park is used as a destination for peace cranes sent from around the world.
The first installation of cranes at this park took place in 2004, through the cooperation of the ACT Government and
the Canberra-Nara Sister City Committee.  

	The main gateway, and the tall lantern and the gazebo visible beyond, with just a glimpse of Lake Burley Griffin and the backdrop of Black Mountain. The side recesses of the gateway may be a suitable place to hang cranes.
Looking back to the gateway past the dry stream bed and tall lantern.
	The gazebo seen with the dry stream bed.  The lake just is visible through the gap in the trees beyond.
The eaves and timber framework of the gazebo are ideal for hanging cranes.   The squat lantern and pergola are visible at rear.

	Left - The gazebo with some cranes hanging, and candles around one of the stone lanterns
Above - Huge cranes from Parndana Area School, Kangaroo Island SA, form a striking entrance to the gazebo	Above - Cranes from Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, Shelburne Falls MA, sway in the breeze carrying wishes for peace
Above - Visitors showed a great interest in the various forms of folded cranes, and the many places they had been sent from.  .	Above - The cranes on the left came from Christopher Academy, Scotch Plains NJ; those on the right from East Maitland Primary School NSW
Right - The climax of the event came with the lighting of more than 2,000 candles as symbols of peace and friendship

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Canberra Peace Park

The Canberra Peace Park was established for the International Year of Peace in 1987.

This is not an ideal location for peace cranes because of its relative isolation, minimal and stark landscape development,
and the absence of any structure from which to hang garlands.

However, we may seek to place cranes here from time to time.

	The park consists of a low relief stone sculptural feature with a central motif and panels inscribed with 'Peace' in many languages. The building at rear is the National Library of Australia.
View across the site to Mount Ainslie beyond Lake Burley Griffin.  The site is tucked away in 'vacant space' between the National Library and the lake.  The lack of any vertical feature means it does not attract attention, and as it is not shown on any city maps it is rarely visited.

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Photographs Copyright 1999 and 2004 Mark Butz

Last modified 27 September 2006 

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