Demolition of The Peace Tower

More than 150,000 people come to the International Peace Garden each year, with music and sports camps also attracting thousands of students from 40 states and Canadian provinces. The Peace Tower, a 120-foot concrete monument built to mark the International Peace Gardens 50th anniversary, is falling apart after connecting Canada and the U.S. for more than 30 years. The North Dakota Legislature approved $200,000 to the International Peace Garden for towers demolition, which must be completed by June of 2017, CEO Garry Enns said. As part of a planning project a few years ago, the International Peace Garden decided to construct a new building north of the sunken garden. The Gardens horticulturalists, along with the seasonal staff that work with them, are critical in keeping the garden new and interesting from year to year, Enns said.