A new statue commemorating peace campaigner Sri Chinmoy is set to be installed in the Upper Arboretum of Christchurch Park in Ipswich on 26 April 2026. The Ipswich Borough Council parks team will place the statue near the rhododendrons in one of the most scenic areas of the 70-acre park.
The location was selected after a previously considered site near the park’s Cenotaph was deemed unsuitable. According to the Friends of Christchurch Park, the Upper Arboretum was chosen to better suit the nature of the memorial, which aims to provide a tranquil space for quiet reflection.
Sri Chinmoy, who lived from 1931 to 2007, was an Indian spiritual leader who promoted world peace through meditation and initiatives such as the Oneness-Home Peace Run. Martin Spettigue, the founder of the local Sri Chinmoy Centre in Ipswich, stated that the project is intended to inspire visitors to reflect on the importance of peace in their own lives.
Ipswich has been a designated peace town for several years, and this installation follows a previous tribute unveiled in Chantry Park in 2013. Christchurch Park, which has held the international Green Flag Award for 18 consecutive years, continues to be a central green space for the local community.
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