Batavia's "Rock City" Past Inspires a Rock Garden Future

Inspired by the completion of the PEACE on EARTH artwork installation, the Batavia Parks Foundation proudly announces the launch of a new rock garden initiative to help spread kindness to and from the community. The Batavia Park District’s Board of Commissioners authorized an 8’ x 12’ garden space on the Batavia South Riverwalk Plaza area by the Peace Bridge for the new rock garden at their January 16, 2024 meeting, creating the canvas for the new garden area.

The future painted rock garden amplifies efforts of the nearby Peace Bridge by reimagining an existing garden bed. Additionally, using 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 ten operating quarries.

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 popups this year, starting this Saturday, March 2, at the “Peace Projects Popup” at Kiss the Sky. Foundation members and volunteers with the rock garden project are hosting the first FREE popup rock painting activity from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at 180 West First Street in downtown Batavia.

Rock Painting Kit is Ready for Check-Out!

Is your non-profit or community organization, school, or church interested in painting rocks to contribute to Batavia’s new Rock Garden? Email bataviaparksfoundation@gmail.com or click HERE to reserve the rock painting kit, starting the week of March 11, 2024 through the summer. Reserved kits are available for pick up at the Batavia Civic Center, 327 W. Wilson Street, Batavia. There is no charge as the Batavia Parks Foundation funds the project, 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, please email bataviaparksfoundation@gmail.com.

About the Batavia Parks Foundation

The mission of the 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 non-profit is available at https://bataviaparks.org/batavia-parks-foundation.