One-Year Countdown to Peace Fountain’s Return
Today, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, members of the family of the late Charles Brooks, project partners, City administration, and the City of Windsor proudly recognized the milestone one-year countdown to the official return of the reimagined International Charles Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain at Coventry Gardens (Reaume Park), 4714 Riverside Drive East.
Following its removal in 2023 after 45 years of dedicated service, one of the city’s most iconic waterfront landmarks will be completely replaced and upgraded through a total project investment of $11.3 million. The new floating structure will preserve the cherished visual aesthetic of the original 1978 design while integrating modern efficiencies to ensure it remains a community staple for years to come.
Honouring a Legacy of Peace
Originally dedicated in 1978, the fountain commemorates legendary labour leader Charles Brooks, the founding President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 444, who was a passionate advocate for peace. In alignment with this rich heritage, the City of Windsor will be introducing a new initiative to establish an annual peace-focused community gathering in the park.
Save the Date:
September 21, 2027, will be the date of the Grand Re-Opening and International Day of Peace Community Celebration.
Established by the United Nations in 1981, the International Day of Peace is observed around the world as a call to non-violence, reflection, and a renewed commitment to fostering peace within our communities and beyond.
As Charlie Brooks often reminded the community, “We must unite, celebrating both our differences and our common bonds, in the name of world peace.”
– Charles “Charlie” Brooks (1915 to 1977)
Modern Engineering Meets Iconic Design
While the new fountain will closely mirror its predecessor — propelling majestic water arches up to 21 metres into the sky over the Detroit River — the internal engineering will be entirely overhauled. Key upgrades include the following:
- State-of-the-Art Pumping Infrastructure: Advanced variable-speed pumps offer improved performance and longevity.
- Vibrant LED Lighting: A modern, energy-efficient, programmable LED lighting system offers brilliant, multi-coloured evening light shows that will be visible from both sides of the border.
- Seasonable Sustainability: As the world’s only international floating fountain, the new fountain raft structure design and site improvements enable it to be stored on-site in the winter off-season, making Reaume Park its permanent year-round home.
In addition to the fountain, visitors to Reaume Park can also enjoy the recently installed Gary Parent Legacy Garden.
Quote:
“The Peace Fountain is an essential part of Windsor’s identity, a beloved installation, a landmark along our beautiful riverfront skyline, and one of the largest — and only — international floating fountains in the world. The path to the replacement project is a complex one, but is well underway, with plans to restore it to the waterfront at Reaume Park next year, and each spring thereafter, just as the original was for over four decades. We remain committed to Investing Responsibly in the quality-of-life enhancements that matter most to Windsorites — which includes the Peace Fountain. Today is the International Day of Peace, and a wonderful opportunity to share the excitement of the project with the community, honour Charlie Brooks’ life and legacy, and look forward to the future fountain that will continue to help us honour our history and the people and stories that shaped our community.”
– Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens