Binational Peace Garden Trail

St. Marys, Georgia, to be a member of the Bicentennial Art of Peace Gardens Project.

The Binational Tourism Alliance (BTA) and the Peace Garden Trail project were formed in 2000 in order to promote and expand cross-border tourism between Canada and the United States. One way in which this mandate is being carried out is through a series of Peace Gardens located throughout Canada and America.

The Bicentennial Art of Peace Gardens Project is an initiative undertaken by the Binational Economic & Tourism Alliance, Arts Councils, Cultural and Heritage Organizations and Community partners to create a Peace Garden Trail by the launch of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 in June 2012.

The war of 1812 began in Canada.and ended in St. Marys, Georgia. Add to that the history of the Acadians and there's endless mutual historic tourism potential here. (Learning-based tourism is growing at the same rate as eco-tourism and we offer much in both arenas).

Roughly 22 million people visit the Niagara region (and the Peace Gardens) each year. "Visit Florida" (the state's official tourism marketing agency) estimates that approximatley 3.05 million Canadians visited Florida in 2010. That's about 9 percent of the Canada's total population of 34 million. Meanwhile, South Carolina holds the huge Canadian-American Days Festival each year all along the Grand Strand.

This year the BTA is actively promoting the tourism potential involved in the commemoration of the War of 1812 and the existing Memory Garden by Oak Grove Cemetery (the resting place of both the Acadians and soldiers of the War of 1812) has been designated as an official Binational Peace Garden. (With its existing gazebo, Tribute Pathway, greenspace, ample parking, flagpole and wheelchair accessibility no cost will be incurred by the taxpayers of St. Marys).

St. Marys City Council, the DDA, the CVB and others are fully supportive of this rare opportunity to promote St. Marys and foster international tourism. Through the BTA, St. Marys will be listed on countless websites/social media/print publications (travel and 1812) as well as promoted by the 8,000 writers of the International Travel Writer’s Alliance. The BTA possesses immense reach and advertising power that includes a cohesive signage and promotional program, along with a calendar of events in the various locations that will showcase the trail communities and partners and ensure distribution of information to international tourist audiences.

Plans are in the making for a dedication “launch” date of July 4th, 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.btapartners.com/BiNational/Peace-Garden.aspx or http://www.btaglobalgateway.com/#! (1812 page).