Peace Garden Sister Cities

On Monday night (May 21) St. Marys City Council voted unanimously and enthusiastically to become the Binational Peace Garden Sister City of Fort Erie, Ontario. By combining media/promotional strengths this will benefit both communities. Fort Erie is the location of the Peace Bridge between Canada and the United States. More than 6 million vehicles cross that bridge per year, representing over $40 billion in tourism and trade. Those millions of tourists will now be introduced to St. Marys - Fort Erie’s Binational Peace Garden Sister City. (It's forecast that Canada is to account for 31% of the projected international tourism growth through 2016). Above all, this initiative is intended to spotlight the 200 years of peace and brotherhood between the two nations that share the world's longest undefended border. That, in part, is why the launch date of July 4th for St. Marys Peace Garden was chosen by all local organizations involved: to commemorate the War of 1812 and to celebrate two centuries of friendship and support. The 1 pm dedication will include state, local and international dignitaries, a Naval color guard, musical performances and more. This is an extraordinary opportunity for St. Marys for it offers world-wide exposure, an increase in tourism and the potential interest of new residents and developers. http://www.binationalheritagepeacegardentrail.com/