Local News

Ten donated cherry trees were planted Thursday as a "peace garden" in front of the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center.

There are 12 other such peace gardens in the United States, but only one other in California, located in Torrance, city Parks and Community Services Director Mike McCarty said.

"We really feel they will beautify the entrance to this awesome facility," he said.

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Mark Zaleski / The Press-Enterprise

Jim Butler, left, senior park maintenance worker, and Isaac Chappell, a city of Moreno Valley maintenance worker, plant a cherry tree in front of the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center during the "peace garden" ceremony Thursday.

SGI-USA, the American branch of the Soka Gokkai International network, provided the cherry trees to the city. The group is based on the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism and dedicated to promoting peace and contributing to the community.

The peace garden symbolizes community, said Kim Lincoln-Hawkins, co-leader of SGI-USA's Riverside Community Center. Taking care of the trees symbolizes the care we should have for each other, she said.

"It takes us back to the basics," Lincoln-Hawkins said.

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Mark Zaleski / The Press-Enterprise

Children sing during the ceremony in Moreno Valley. There are 12 other such peace gardens in the United States.

Councilwoman Bonnie Flickinger thanked the group for the donation during a brief ceremony outside the center. Although the trees can look plain and barren during the winter, they blossom brilliantly in springtime, she said.

"This represents the beauty of persevering through difficult times," Flickinger said.

The trees are a reminder that though we have gone through hardships and difficult times, "we have emerged stronger and more vibrant than ever," she said.

The garden will include a plaque commemorating the event and containing a quotation from the network's Japanese leader, Daisaku Ikeda: "Nothing is more precious than peace. Nothing brings more happiness. Peace is the most basic starting point for the advancement of humankind."

The group is considering donating more cherry trees to expand the garden outside the Conference and Recreation Center and possibly to a high school in the Murrieta area, Lincoln-Hawkins said.

Reach Dan Lee at 951-763-3457 or dlee@PE.com