At the peace arch

63DB3CC0-3AD1-4AAE-8010-952225D7346C_1_105_c
Yesterday we had another reminder that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the way things once were. Peace Arch Historical State Park in Blaine is adjacent to Peace Arch Provincial Park in Surrey, British Columbia. At the point where the international border passes between the two parks, there are some short obelisks marking the boundary and, in the middle of the park a white arch marks the boundary. At the top of the arch is inscribed, “Children of a Common Mother.” Inside the arch there are gates permanently attached to the walls so that they cannot be closed. Above the gates are the words, “May these gates never be closed.” However, just beyond the arch are signs that say, “Park closed. Do not enter.” The State of Washington, with the assistance of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol have kept Peach Arch Historical State Park open throughout the pandemic. However, The Province of British Columbia has kept Peace Arch Provincial Park closed since the beginning of the pandemic. At this point we don’t know when it will be reopened to the public.

While the Canadian park remains closed, it is evident that the landscaping is still being maintained. The lawns are mowed consistently with this on the US side of the border. The large flower bed with the Canadian Flag, just opposite the one on the US side with the US flag displays carefully maintained plantings, with flowers in bloom. Despite the park being officially closed, we did see a few pedestrians strolling on the Canadian side. There were no border officers evident in the park. Although the signs marked the closure of the Canadian side of the park, visitors were allowed to cross into Canada on the lawn and return to the US side. It is my understanding that the entrances to the park on the Canadian side are not open and the parking lots are not accessible.

The gates are not closed, but the park marking the boundary is not currently a meeting place for family and friends from across the border. Still we had a lovely day for our visit to show our guests the area and, with our grandson along, we stopped at each playground for a bit of climbing, sliding and swinging.

The cities of Blaine, Washington and Surrey, British Columbia are adjacent. 0 Avenue in Surrey runs right next to the border with houses simply across the street from the park. There is no fence at the edge of the park, just the street. There are no connecting streets, except for those that go through border checks, so driving a car from one city to the next involves going through a formal border crossing. There is nothing, however, to prevent someone playing in the park from walking into the street to chase an errant frisbee or ball.

Families have lived along the border for generations. Children from one side of the border meet children from the other side. Some grow up, fall in love and marry. Cousins emerge on both sides of the border. For many years Peace Arch Park has been a place of meeting for family and friends from both sides of the border without the need of formal exit and entry procedures.

We have not crossed into Canada since the pandemic, but the border is once again open to casual traffic. Travelers entering Canada must meet Covid-19 requirements. All travelers must use the ArriveCAN computer or phone app within 72 hours of arrival. Travel from Canada to the US no longer requires a recent Covid test nor proof of vaccination, but proof of vaccination is required to enter Canada.

It is very different from our childhood days when crossing into Canada didn’t require anything special. A border guard might ask to see a driver’s license, but passports were not required and there were border crossings in rural areas that were not staffed at night and where people crossed without any inspection whatsoever. It is no longer that way. Travel documents such as passports are required. The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travels expedited processing at the border, and NEXUS cards are accepted in lieu of passports, but travelers still need to pass through staffed border crossings.

I imagine that things are similar along the border between the US and Mexico. Despite the construction of various fences and walls along the border, there are many places where simply walking through open country or wading or swimming a river can be accomplished. Those who enter that way won’t have the required documents to remain in the country, but access is relatively easy. Like the US-Canada boarder, I am sure that there are many families with kin on both sides of the border.

We encounter Canadians who have entered the US legally nearly every day. They shop in the stores and purchase gas in stations in the US. They cross the border for family events. British Columbia license plates are probably more common than license plates from other states of the US on the streets of our town. There are plenty of Canadians who have summer cottages along the bay and who come to visit them regularly.

The lasting peace between the two countries is a blessing and the concept of an open border is as appealing today as it was when the Peace Arch was first constructed. Gates that never close are a symbol of the lasting friendship between the people of the two countries. As we show our guests, this is a very peaceful place to live. The birds and animals cross the border without recognizing any barrier. People have learned to go through a series of questions and proof of citizenship status to cross the border but also freely go back and forth. Our neighbors to the north are good neighbors and we welcome them to our side of the border.

It will take time for the pandemic to run its course. And after this pandemic there will likely be other infections and illnesses that require vigilance. We will continue to need to learn how to be safe as we go about our daily lives. But the gates at the Peace Arch remain open and hopefully the Provincial Park will be able to reopen soon.

Made in RapidWeaver