The International Peace Garden is welcoming new and returning visitors from the Canadian side of the border as COVID-19 regulations loosen up.

CEO, Tim Chapman, says Canadians have become more comfortable coming into the Garden knowing that they have to have the ArriveCAN App ready when they visit.

“Just having talked to a few of the guests who have come in from Manitoba, there’s just a great sense of optimism and there was a longing to get back into the Garden," said Chapman.

Chapman says with the thousands of annuals planted throughout the Garden the grounds look quite incredible.

“As things continue to ease, we’re just excited that, as a staff and organization as a whole, we’ll be able to welcome more Manitobans and Canadians back.”

“I know it’s going to be gradual, but looking at the information coming out of Manitoba right now, we’re expecting more Canadians throughout the rest of the summer. It feels like it’s been forever, so it’s good to kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he adds.

Visitors from both sides of the border were able to participate in the Peace Garden’s mid-summer 4-course meal last weekend, with about a dozen Canadians enjoying the event.

“I think people are just blown away by what a limited staff is able to do,” added Chapman. “You know, we planted 80,000 annuals this year and they look just phenomenal right now.”

Chapman says they’ve received good support from south of the border as well.

“It’s been pretty good, and it’s not just from North Dakota either,” he explains. “If you work here, its always fun to take a peek at all the license plates going by, and Americans have been coming at a higher clip than last year. There’s been nice groups coming from all over the States coming through and really enjoying the outdoor settings, a great meal at the café, and the gift shop.”