A new monument designed to promote peace and togetherness may soon be installed in a Monroeville park.
Rotary Club of Monroeville members want to install a peace pole in the the botanical garden section of Monroeville Community Park West.
“We want to draw the diverse community together,” outgoing Rotary president Som Sharma said while overlooking the site March 24. “It’s a gift to the community. Our team has been working on it for about eight months now.”
A peace pole is an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of humanity and peace on earth, according to the site worldpeace.org.
The message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” will be written on the pole in 37 languages.
Sharma said the municipal park was an ideal choice to place the pole.
“There are a lot of people visiting here and a lot of activity here,” he said. “We want to take advantage of that and want (visitors) to get involved so they take the message back to their community.”
The Rotary’s pole, made of stainless steel, will be about 12 feet tall and about 14 inches wide.
It is being crafted by Cincinnati-based sculpture Joel Selmeier.
The pole is expected to be shipped within six weeks and installed with the help of Monroeville public works crews.
“I think it’s great,” municipal manager Tim Little said. “I think it’s a place where all different denominations, races, creeds, genders can come here and meditate and pray and relax.”
The project cost is estimated at $14,000. A portion will be paid using a Rotary Foundation grant through District 7305. The Monroeville club plans to hold fundraisers for the rest of the tab.
The club hopes to expand on the project and create a peace garden with flowers, shrubbery and benches.
“The objective of the peace garden is to have a nice, quiet spot and just let it go and relax,” said incoming Rotary president Gerry Maynard. “Leave your troubles outside and take peace with you.”
“It’s an ongoing work to promote peace through the involvement of a diverse community,” he said. “This is a great park, and this is just a great addition. I don’t see any negatives at all.”
More information about the Monroeville Rotary Club is available by calling 412-606-6868, or email sohum1@gmail.com.
