Beyond Planting Peace Poles – Uniting for Peace, Uniting for Good, Dunedin, Florida, USA.
June 2026
What began as the planting of a single Peace Pole in Dunedin’s Highlander Park has grown into a powerful community movement.
How It Began
In 2021, members of the Rotary Club of Dunedin learned about the Peace Pole Project and envisioned bringing this symbol of peace to Dunedin.
Dedicated on February 23, 2022—the anniversary of Rotary’s founding—the “Imagine Peace” pole honored Rotary International’s first female president, Jennifer Jones, and her theme, Imagine Rotary. The City proclaimed February 23 as Peace Day in Dunedin, and community members gathered for a celebration featuring student artwork, music, bagpipes, and fellowship.
Beyond Planting Peace Poles: Uniting for Peace, Uniting for Good
What began as the planting of a single Peace Pole in Dunedin’s Highlander Park has grown into a powerful community movement. In February 2026, forty-one organizations came together to demonstrate what can happen when people unite around a common goal: building a more peaceful, caring community.
How It Began
In 2021, members of the Rotary Club of Dunedin learned about the Peace Pole Project and envisioned bringing this symbol of peace to Dunedin. The Rotary Clubs of Dunedin North and Waterside quickly joined the effort, and with support from the City of Dunedin, the dream became reality.
Dedicated on February 23, 2022—the anniversary of Rotary’s founding—the “Imagine Peace” pole honored Rotary International’s first female president, Jennifer Jones, and her theme, Imagine Rotary. The City proclaimed February 23 as Peace Day in Dunedin, and community members gathered for a celebration featuring student artwork, music, bagpipes, and fellowship.
Growing Beyond the Pole
The Peace Pole became more than a symbol. It inspired local Rotary clubs to showcase the many organizations working every day to create peace through service.
In 2025, more than thirty nonprofit organizations participated in a community Expo, sharing their missions and connecting with residents and fellow service groups. The event’s success encouraged an even bigger vision.
In 2026, inspired by Rotary International’s theme, Unite for Good, the three Dunedin Rotary clubs expanded the event under the banner “Unite for Peace – Unite for Good.” Forty-one nonprofits and service organizations filled the Dunedin Community Center, while the Dunedin Fine Art Center led children’s activities in a second room, creating an event for all ages.
Looking Forward
The Peace Pole Project continues to grow throughout Rotary District 6950 as clubs partner with schools, libraries, parks, churches, Rotaract clubs, and Interact clubs to plant new poles and promote peace.
A Peace Pole is more than a monument—it is a reminder that peace begins with service, understanding, and community partnerships.
Your club or organization can help create a lasting impact. Consider planting a Peace Pole and joining the movement to Unite for Peace and Unite for Good.