Join Batavia Parks Foundation in painting rocks for new garden
Inspired by completion of the “Peace on Earth” artwork installation, the Batavia Parks Foundation recently launched a new painted rock garden initiative to help spread kindness to and from the community.
The Batavia Park District’s board of commissioners authorized a 8-foot x 12-foot garden space on the Batavia South Riverwalk Plaza area by the “Peace” bridge for the new rock garden at their Jan. 16, 2024 meeting, creating the canvas for the new garden area.
Britta McKenna, parks foundation president, comments, “The new painted rock garden amplifies efforts of the nearby ‘Peace’ bridge by re-imagining an existing garden bed. Additionally, the use of rocks in the garden is a hat tip to Batavia’s past identity as ‘Rock City,’ when the city was a key limestone quarry hub for the region.”
Batavia’s history of quarrying limestone dates back to 1860 when the town was home to as many as 10 operating quarries.
Members of the community are encouraged to paint rocks to be featured in this art installation. Gaining inspiration from the new Batavia flag graphic, the evolving rock garden design concept features a windmill-inspired portion of the garden as a permanent art installation utilizing pieces of stone with the river section inviting the community to actively contribute their painted rocks year-round with artistic and inspirational messages to share.
The community is encouraged to paint rocks at parks foundation’s pop-ups this year, starting this Saturday, March 2, at the “Peace Projects Popup” at Kiss the Sky, 180 W. First St. Foundation members and volunteers with the rock garden project are hosting the first popup, free rock painting activity from 1 to 5 p.m.
Rock painting kit is ready for checkout
Is your nonprofit or community organization, school, or church interested in painting rocks to contribute to Batavia’s new rock garden? Email bataviaparksfoundation@gmail.com or scan the QR code.
Rock painting kits are available for reserving, starting the week of March 11 through the summer. Reserved kits are available for pick up at the Batavia Civic Center, 327 W. Wilson St. There is no charge as the project is funded by the Batavia Parks Foundation, though donations are happily accepted (check or Venmo to Batavia Parks Foundation).
Permanent art installation contributions welcome
Batavia’s Rock Garden welcomes contributions from artists of all capabilities. A limited number of painted stones of varying sizes will be selected for the permanent installation portion of the garden. If you would like your rock art to be considered for the permanent installation portion of the new rock garden, please submit a .jpg or .png digital design to bataviaparksfoundation@gmail.com by June 1, 2024 to be considered.
Partners and collaborators in Batavia’s new painted rock garden project include the Batavia Park District, Water Street Studios, and community volunteers. Members of the community interested in joining the garden planning team can email bataviaparksfoundation@gmail.com.
History of the Batavia Parks Foundation “Peace in the Parks” projects
Craig Foltos had a dream some 20 years ago to place 12-foot “Peace on Earth” letters on the bicycle-pedestrian bridge in downtown Batavia. That dream came true through his efforts alongside volunteers, who donated resources and time to build the letters. In partnership with the Batavia Park District, the message of hope was proudly hung annually on the “Peace Bridge” during the Christmas season.
In 2022, the Batavia Parks Foundation teamed up with Foltos, who had already raised $4,000 through donations and merchandise sales, to activate the permanent art vision.
The Batavia Parks Foundation launched a community campaign in May of 2022, securing letter sponsors, selling “Play it Forward” raffle tickets, accepting donations, and selling merchandise that all added up to $50,000 on Dec. 21, 2022.
The new “Peace on Earth” artwork was installed by the Batavia Park District and dedicated on Nov. 26, 2023. The new peace in the parks Initiatives are being developed by the parks foundation to amplify efforts with the Peace bridge to further engage the community in finding peace in the parks and spreading kindness.
The new garden area is being designed in 2024 with installation dependent on painted rock contributions to the garden.
About the Batavia Parks Foundation
The mission of the Batavia Parks Foundation is to foster recreation and open space initiatives that enhance residents’ quality of life. Follow the foundation on Instagram and Facebook. More information on the nonprofit is available at bataviaparks.org/batavia-parks-foundation.