Tucked behind the Aspen Park Community Center on Sutton Road is a thoughtfully designed sanctuary: the Conifer Peace Park. With the start of the war in Ukraine, and a collective desire to take action to promote peace, the Conifer Peace Park was born of a collaboration among the Rotary Club Peacebuilding Committee, the Conifer Peacebuilding Club, and the Aspen Park Community Center, with contributions from the community.
“It’s been a beautiful journey, bringing people together,” said project organizer Dennis Swiftdeer Paige. “We have it within ourselves to come together in peace. We must take a step back and realize the potential of how we can be better human beings.”
Designing a Park With Higher Intentions
An ecological landscaper, Paige took the lead on designing the park to be in harmony with a purposeful vision. Each element was chosen and placed with intention. “The rock is the entry way and represents the heart,” Paige explains. “Benches to the east and west honor the sun. The mandala wind spinner represents the interdependence of birth and death as they move together cyclically.”
Gracing the park are three peace poles that carry the message, “May peace prevail on earth,” in 24 languages symbolizing a collective consciousness honoring the diversity of life on the planet. Another poignant message is the John Lennon lyric, “Imagine all the people living life in peace,” which is etched into the rock at the entrance to the park.
The creation and maintenance of the park is a collaborative effort of an all-volunteer Peace Park planning committee affiliated with the Conifer Rotary. Many local businesses have stepped forward to cover costs through sponsorships, and there has been strong community buy-in, according to Paige. “The park is enjoyed by individuals seeking solace.” A new feature of the park is a free “little library” where people can borrow and leave books about peace.
A Summer of Free Events in the Park to Promote Peace
This summer, the community is invited to gather in the park for a series of events rooted in the theme of peace.
June 19: Peace Yoga in the Park, led by Cynde Denson from 6-7:30 pm, will commemorate the International Day of Yoga, the Summer Solstice, and Juneteenth.
July 17: The Poetry Society of Colorado and Martin Postma will host Poetry and Storytelling for Peace. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own poems and stories to share.
August 21: Music for Peace will feature John Erlandson and Friends presenting a free performance from 6-8 pm.
September 21: The park series concludes by honoring the International Day of Peace and Fall Equinox. This Sunday afternoon featured program will take place from 2-5 pm.
More details on upcoming events can be found on the Conifer Peace Park Facebook page. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs, and picnics with non-alcoholic beverages to the park to enhance their experience.
Finding a Path to Peace
While life’s challenges, complexities and politics often blur a clear vision of peace, Paige, who follows the Lakota way, offers a pure and profound message. “Let’s put our political differences aside and see the humanity in each other,” he offers. “Human beings are much more complicated than partisan beliefs. We are of the earth—we can treasure it and respect it. We can work for the planet, which is home, and for each other.”
