You can walk anytime on your own or join us the first Saturday of summer months, 9am, for walks led by experienced facilitators & accompanied by Harvest Brown & Steve Barber. The Evansville Peace Garden started as the vision of Denise Janssen Eager, who wanted to give something back to the Evansville community for all the wonderful friendships and opportunities given to her and her family. A labyr
inth is a flat, circular path that curves back around itself, leading to a center point and then back again to the entrance. Walkers follow the set path of switchbacks to the center point & then another set path of switchbacks out to the entrance. Labyrinths allow the walker time to pause, reflect and contemplate. With the many active sports that the Evansville park system has to offer, she thought that having a labyrinth in Evansville would offer a welcome alternative for those seeking a less physical, more mindful activity. Sharing her vision, she realized she wasn't alone and a committed group of volunteers began meeting September 2012 with the task of finding the right space and creating the right design. With many parks in Evansville to choose from, the group finally decided Seminary Park nestled between 4th Street & College Drive was the best place because of its underutilized green space with beautiful mature trees combined with the easy accessibility from most other locations throughout Evansville. Guided by John Gishnock of Formecology, LLC, the group then created a distinctive garden, which focuses on passive recreation, meditation, and some good old-fashioned relaxation. For her senior project, Evansville High School student Rachel Otto visualized & created the Children's ABC Garden. Her parents, John & Kim Otto, built the Little Free Children's Library. The entire family continues to lovingly care for the gardens. The labyrinth was dedicated May 7, 2016, World Labyrinth Day with Tajali Tolan leading the first organized walk. The following World Labyrinth Day, May 6, 2017, the Peace Pole was dedicated. During Covid, when Evansville was following lockdown procedures, Dave Collins, from Creekside Place, led yoga on the labyrinth during the summer months. In 2024, the Evansville Lions Club adopted the labyrinth and weedwack it so walkers can easily see the path to safely walk it. In July 2024, the labyrinth began holding first Saturday organized walks led by Rev. Matt Poock, Denise Janssen Eager, Heidi Carvin, and others. If you are interested in staying informed about the Evansville Peace Garden and Labyrinth, please like and follow this page. If you would like more info about labyrinths, please visit The Labyrinth Society http://labyrinthsociety.org/home
