What is that?: Toronto’s lakeside monument dedicated to peace in perfect spot

What is that?: Toronto sculptures explained is a new series looking at a different sculpture in the city every week. Have you seen a piece of public art in your daily commute and wondered what it was about? Me too … so I’ve decided that I’d learn a little bit more about my own city and share it with you.

Victory Peace | Coronation Park, 711 Lake Shore Blvd W.

This monument is dedicated to peace, so its location is fitting.

The structure sits at the bottom of the Coronation Park, where benches and picnic tables overlook the lake.

During my last three visits, the park was tranquil, with no city crowds. One woman was tanning, solo, lying on the grass beside her shiny red Vespa. She didn’t even open her eyes as I walked by. Another older gentleman was sitting, also solo, on a park bench reading a book right in front of the lake. It was like a scene out of a novel.

I bumped into the structure accidentally, I didn’t even know it was there.

Victory Peace was unveiled on November 14, 1995, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, built in honour of those who died.

A plaque sits at the monument that says, in both English and French: “A tribute to all Canadians at home and overseas who served their nation with courage, hope and sacrifice during World War II.”

Designed by John McEwan, a Toronto-born artist, the structure is made up of two bronze arcs that sit on the ground quite close to the lake. When looking at the monument from afar, it appears as though the arcs form the sides of a boat’s bow. You can see the lake peeking through an opening between the two arcs, as if you’re on the boat headed through the water. The other opening faces inland.

The powerful words “sacrifice” and “hope” are part of the monument, within engravings of maple leaves.

The words for “peace” in multiple languages are engraved on the plaques on the ground.

According to the book “Creating Memory: A Guide to Outdoor Public Sculpture in Toronto,” the sculpture was commissioned by “The World War II 50th Anniversary Memorial Tribute Committee.”

Unfortunately, Victory Peace was vandalized on Remembrance Day 2013. The words “Canada will burn praise Allah” were written on the monument in what appeared to be black marker.

City workers cleaned those words off and since then the monument’s peace, and the peaceful park it sits in, still live.