At Bowie State University, Peace Park stands as more than a green space. It is a living memorial where remembrance, healing, and resilience come together to honor lives lost while creating opportunities for learning, reflection, and community connection.
The story of Peace Park began in 2011 following the tragic death of Bowie State student Dominique Frazier on campus. In response, members of the university community created what was then known as the “Peace Plot,” a memorial space dedicated to honoring her memory and promoting peace on campus. Over time, however, the area deteriorated and no longer fulfilled its intended purpose. By 2022, Sustainability & Energy Coordinator Jabari Walker, working alongside university leaders and community partners, recognized an opportunity not only to restore the site but also to reimagine it.
Located near the residential area of campus, adjacent to the tennis and basketball courts, Peace Park functions as a living memorial area that continues to evolve through active use and community stewardship. The space hosts ceremonies that are both somber and celebratory, organization meetings, prayer vigils, educational programs, Earth Month activities, and wellness-focused events. Available for outdoor events through Conference & Event Services, the park provides a welcoming setting for connection and reflection. In doing so, it helps preserve the history of Bowie State University while advancing the broader mission of HBCUs to foster community, resilience, and social progress.
The park carries special significance for the Bowie State community, as it honors the deaths of multiple Bowie students. Among those honored is Second Lieutenant Richard Collins III. In May 2017, Collins was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack while waiting at a bus stop near the University of Maryland, College Park. Just days before graduation, Collins’ death deeply affected the university community and underscored the importance of preserving spaces that honor memory and inspire unity. Today, Peace Park serves as a place where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members can gather to reflect on the past while envisioning a more hopeful future.
Sustainable design features throughout the park bring that vision to life. Native plantings and conservation landscaping support local biodiversity and expand wildlife habitat. Increased tree canopy provides shade while contributing to climate resilience. Interpretive signage helps visitors understand the environmental and historical significance of the space. A solar-powered streetlight demonstrates renewable energy in action, while a bench swing offers a peaceful place for reflection and enjoyment.
The Peace Park Restoration Project transformed the neglected memorial area into a vibrant sustainability landscape. Rather than simply repairing the space, the project integrated ecological restoration, climate resilience, and community healing into a single vision. Today, the restored park now functions as a memorial, educational landscape, gathering place, and sustainability demonstration site that reflects Bowie State’s commitment to both people and the planet.
The restoration was made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Bowie State University Office of Sustainability and Facilities Management, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Bowie State Green Ambassadors, and Petro Design Build Group. Funding support was provided in part through a Stormwater Management Grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Together, these partners combined environmental stewardship, student engagement, and community care, creating a project that reflects the university’s broader commitment to resilience and institutional responsibility.
The project also advances several goals outlined in Bowie State University’s Climate Action Plan. Solar-powered lighting contributes to energy efficiency and conservation efforts. Volunteer planting days, Earth Day celebrations, and sustainability programming promote sustainable behavior and engagement. Native landscaping and habitat enhancement contribute directly to sustainable campus grounds management. Through hands-on participation, students gain practical experience while helping to build a more sustainable campus.
Bowie State University’s recognition through Second Nature’s Climate Luminary Honors highlights the broader significance of projects like Peace Park. The project demonstrates how climate resilience initiatives can simultaneously preserve cultural memory, advance social justice, and strengthen community bonds. It also showcases the unique role HBCUs can play in connecting environmental action with historical stewardship and collective healing.
Peace Park stands as a bridge between the past and future—a once-neglected memorial space transformed into a thriving landscape of remembrance, sustainability, and resilience. The area serves not only as a testament to the power of restoration but also as a gathering place, outdoor classroom, volunteer site, and restorative green space where history is honored, community is strengthened, and future generations can find inspiration, healing, and hope. Today, students participate in service projects, environmental education programs, and Earth Month celebrations, while visitors find opportunities for reflection and connection with nature. Together, these experiences foster mental wellness, environmental awareness, and community engagement within a landscape thoughtfully designed to honor the past.
