Rotary Club new projects at Charles Ansell Park
At the gateway to the Great Lakes, where thousands of visitors from around the world stop each year to watch ships navigate Lock 1 of the Welland Canal, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore has added two lasting symbols of community service, a Peace Pole and a new water filling station.
On Friday, July 24, under beautiful summer skies, a large gathering of community members, civic leaders, and Rotarians came together at Charles Ansell Park to celebrate the unveiling of these two meaningful projects. Together, they reflect Rotary's commitment to environmental stewardship, peace, and creating lasting improvements for the community.
A Park with a Rotary Legacy
Charles Ansell Park is more than a beautiful waterfront destination—it is a lasting example of what can be accomplished through partnership. Developed through the vision and collaboration of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore and the City of St. Catharines, the park has continued to evolve over the years as the club invests in projects that make it an even more welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.
Past Club President Coral Timms served as Master of Ceremonies for the celebration, while charter member Bruce Timms shared the history of the park and Rotary's long-standing commitment to enhancing this special community space.
Refreshing People—and Protecting the Environment
The new water filling station was made possible through a partnership between the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore, Rotary District 7090 through a District Grant, and the City of St. Catharines.
Situated beside Lock 1 of the Welland Canal, the station provides both a drinking fountain and a bottle filling station for walkers, cyclists, tourists, boat watchers, and local residents. The project supports Rotary's commitment to protecting the environment by encouraging the use of reusable water bottles while reducing single-use plastic waste.
Its value became apparent almost immediately after the ceremony when a visitor stopped to fill a bowl of water for his dog—an unexpected but heartwarming reminder that this community enhancement benefits everyone enjoying the park, including our four-legged friends.
A Universal Message of Peace
Standing proudly nearby is the newly installed Peace Pole, bearing the simple yet powerful message:
"May Peace Prevail on Earth"
The message appears in four languages—Japanese, English, French, and Anishinaabemowin—reflecting both the international origins of the Peace Pole movement and the rich cultural heritage of Canada.
Charles Ansell Park was chosen as the perfect location because it welcomes visitors from around the globe. As the entrance to the Welland Canal and the Great Lakes system, it offers an opportunity for Rotary's message of peace to be shared with people from many nations.
Mayor Mat Siscoe spoke about the tremendous contributions that all of the Rotary clubs in St. Catharines make in strengthening the community through volunteerism, partnerships, and service.
Rotary District 7090 Governor Joanne Serkeyn shared the history of the Peace Pole movement, explaining that it was founded by Japanese peace advocate Masahisa Goi in response to the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. She reminded those in attendance that lasting peace begins by recognizing what we have in common rather than focusing on the differences that divide us.
The ceremony concluded with everyone gathered joining together in saying:
"May Peace Prevail on Earth."
Those four words echoed through the park as a powerful reminder that peace is not simply a hope—it is something we all have a role in creating.
Among those attending the ceremony were Councillors Dawn Dodge, Bill Phillips, and Jackie Lindal; Rotary Club of St. Catharines President Rob DePetris; Assistant Governor Julio Batres-Gavidia; members of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South; fellow Rotarians; community leaders; and guests.
Service Above Self
Projects like the Peace Pole and water filling station demonstrate what Rotary is all about—bringing people together to improve our communities, care for our environment, and promote peace both locally and around the world.
The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore is proud to continue building on its partnership with the City of St. Catharines by investing in projects that leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Whether someone stops to refill a water bottle, pauses to reflect at the Peace Pole, or simply enjoys the beauty of Charles Ansell Park, they are experiencing Rotary's commitment to Service Above Self.
Discover Rotary
Inspired by this story?
The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore invites you to discover how ordinary people come together to accomplish extraordinary things.
Join us for Discover Rotary on Thursday, September 24, and learn how you can make a difference in your community while building friendships, developing leadership skills, and becoming part of a global network of more than 1.4 million volunteers.
Whether you're looking to give back, meet new people, or simply learn more about Rotary, we'd love to welcome you.
Visit our website for event details and registration.