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Peace Sanctuary maintains core location in Wassaic

WASSAIC — There are new owners for a portion of the property surrounding the World Peace Sanctuary, but the center still owns 26 acres of land and its building and sculptures, according to  Matthew Darnall and Kathleen P. Kiernan of White Plains, who purchased the property the Sanctuary had put up for sale.

“We’ve only owned it for a month,” said Darnall, who said in a recent Zoom interview that he found the property after hiking nearby during COVID with his foster brother.

“I am from Northern California in the redwood forest area, so have hiked around the region and liked going to forests that maintained the trails, and liked properties that were an open, natural place.”

Final plans for the property aren’t clear but they had promised not to subdivide. Their goals are along the lines of farming, hiking, maybe planting apple trees, and caring for the trees presently on the property.

“There may be one house eventually,” Darnall said, “but being so new to owning the property we don’t know when that might happen.”

Interestingly, a large group of the current trees are hickory trees that were grafted in the 1930s to keep them from disappearing in the area. Members of the N.Y. Nut Growers Association have an ongoing interest in the trees there, and will work with the owners to ensure their good health.

Darnall said, “You can see on the hickory trees the lines and bands where the grafting happened. It almost looks like a flood line, which I was accustomed to seeing in northern California.”

Ann Marie Robustelli, director of programs and business administrator at the World Peace Sanctuary, said in a recent interview that all at the sanctuary are very pleased with their new neighbors on the land they sold to Darnall and Kiernan. “It’s a great partnership,” she said. “Their thoughts on how to use the land are completely aligned with our mission at the sanctuary. It’s all about sustainability and the power of intention.”

The Sanctuary’s front garden includes a peace pole. Photo submitted

The Sanctuary Grove is a well-kept wooded area emanating peacefulness on the property. Photo submitted

The Sanctuary’s front garden includes a peace pole. Photo submitted
Janet Manko

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