International Peace Gardens

The International Peace Gardens symbolize the true spirit of democracy and world peace, brotherly love, history, literature and cultural heritage of many lands. The gardens cover 11 acres along the bank of the Jordan River in Jordan Park. One of only two peace gardens in the United States – the other located in North Dakota on the Canadian border, the Peace Gardens are truly a beautiful place of quite reflection. The Peace Gardens is estimated to attract more than 20,000 visitors annually from all over the U.S. and abroad.

The project was initiated in 1939 by Mrs. Otto Wiesley, working with the Salt Lake City Superintendent of Parks, the Mayor, and the Salt Lake Council of Women. The project’s goal was to inspire good citizenship and allow groups of foreign origin to participate in the beautification of Salt Lake City for the Centennial Celebration of 1947.

The Salt Lake City Commission and the Parks Department approved the project; however it was halted before anything was planted due to the onset of World War II. In 1947, the project resumed and the United States became the first country represented. The Japanese garden was the second section to be organized, planted and dedicated. Twenty-eight countries were represented before space ran out. Union Pacific recently deeded land on the west side of the Jordan River to Salt Lake City, and we hope to obtain it to expand the gardens.

Each of the nationality groups is allotted a section to create a garden with native pl