Peacekeepers Park

Peacekeepers Park in Calgary, Alberta, features a bronze statue (48008-018) and a Wall of Honour (48008-019) that commemorate Canadian peacekeeping missions and pays tribute to those who have lost their lives. The statue depicts a Canadian peacekeeper giving an “Izzy” doll to a child. The “Izzy” doll is named after Mark Isfeld, whose mother crocheted small dolls for him to give to local children while on patrols during his tour. Isfeld’s name is on the wall of the park, as he was killed by a landmine in Croatia on June 21, 1994. The park also features a Mission Wall which lists all the United Nations missions that Canadians have been involved in.

At the time of its construction in 2004, it was believed that the Wall of Honour would have enough space to add names for 60 years. When it was time to include Canadian fatalities from the mission in Afghanistan, the wall was quickly populated and efforts were initiated to install a second wall to accommodate the growing list of soldiers to be commemorated.

The 1.85 acre Peacekeepers Park is located in Garrison Green, the redeveloped Lincoln Park, which was formerly part of Canadian Forces Base Calgary and, during the Second World War, had been an airfield for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After the base closed in 1998, the Canada Lands Company (CLC) was tasked with redeveloping the land.

The streets in Garrison Green were initially named after the places where Canadian troops had served on peacekeeping missions and they were now to be renamed to reflect Lincoln Park’s history as an airfield during the Second World War. The Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping’s (CAVUNP) national president at the time, Colonel Don Ethell, objected to the proposed renaming and after meeting with the developer it was finally decided that the streets in Garrison Green would be named after Canadian peacekeepers. The Calgary chapter of CAVUNP proposed 16 names, of which 13 were chosen.

Inscription

[plaque/plaque]

PEACEKEEPERS PARK

Since the end of the Second World War, Canada has developed a strong peacekeeping tradition. At its heart are
the military personnel who serve their nation in its endeavour to assist people affected by war. These individuals
serve their country and the world community through their dedication to international peace and security. This
park is a tribute to Canada’s Peacekeepers.

Peacekeepers Park includes three elements – the Wall of Honour and the Mission Wall to your left, and the bronze
sculpture before you. The Wall of Honour commemorates the Fallen Peacekeepers who made the ultimate
sacrifice. Their loss holds true as a symbol of the Canadian will to make the world a better place for all. The
second wall lists the Peacekeeping missions in which Canada has participated. The walls provide a testament
to the sacrifices and perseverance required to ensure peace.

The bronze sculpture shows an armed Canadian soldier offering an ‘Izzy’ doll to a little girl. During many of their
missions, Canada’s Peacekeepers have been struck by the abject poverty and suffering of those less fortunate,
especially the children. This sculpture epitomizes the dual role of Canadian Peacekeepers in providing both
professional military intervention and compassion.

The Peacekeepers
We Will Remember Them.

Presented to Canada’s Peacekeepers and The City of Calgary by Canada Lands Company CLC Limited
on Peacekeepers Day,
9 August 2004.

PARC DES CASQUES BLEUS

(needs further research/recherche incomplète)

On trouve au parc Peacekeeper de Calgary, en Alberta, une statue de bronze (48008-018) et un mur de l’excellence (48008-019) qui commémorent les missions canadiennes de maintien de la paix et rendent hommage à ceux et celles qui y ont laissé leur vie. La statue représente un Casque bleu canadien qui remet une poupée « Izzy » à une fillette. Cette poupée a été nommée en l’honneur de Mark Isfeld, dont la mère confectionnait au crochet de petites poupées pour qu’il puisse les remettre aux enfants croisés lors de ses patrouilles. Le nom d’Isfeld se retrouve également sur le mur commémoratif du parc, car il a été tué par une mine en Croatie le 21 juin 1994. Le parc renferme en outre un mur des missions où l’on énumère toutes les missions des Nations Unies auxquelles le Canada a pris part.

Au moment de sa construction en 2004, on croyait que le mur de l’excellence offrait suffisamment de place pour que des noms puissent y être inscrits pendant 60 ans. Lorsqu’il a fallu y commémorer les pertes canadiennes lors de la mission en Afghanistan, le mur s’est rapidement empli de noms et des efforts ont été entrepris en vue d’en installer un second afin d’accueillir le nombre croissant de soldats dont on voulait honorer la mémoire.

Le parc de 1,85 acre est situé dans Garrison Green, un espace issu du réaménagement du parc Lincoln, lequel faisait autrefois partie de la Base des Forces canadiennes Calgary, et a servi de terrain d’aviation pour le Programme d’entraînement aérien du Commonwealth britannique durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Lorsque la base a fermé ses portes en 1998, la Société immobilière du Canada (SIC) a été chargée de réaménager le secteur.

Les rues de Garrison Green avaient été nommées au départ pour commémorer les endroits où les troupes canadiennes avaient participé à des missions de maintien de la paix et devaient alors être rebaptisées pour souligner le fait que le parc Lincoln avait servi de terrain d’aviation au cours de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. L’Association canadienne des vétérans des forces de paix des Nations Unies (ACVFPNU) s’est opposée, par l’entremise de son président national de l’époque, le Colonel Don Ethell, aux changements de noms proposés. Après discussion avec la société chargée du réaménagement, il a finalement été convenu que les rues de Garrison Green seraient nommées en l’honneur de Casques bleus canadiens. La succursale de Calgary de lACVFPNU a alors proposé 16 noms, dont 13 ont été retenus.

Le texte de l’inscription figure dans la section anglaise.