Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Description: The statue is a life size bronze of Sadako Sasaki, the young Japanese girl who survived the Hiroshima bombing only to die of radiation sickness at age 12. 

Hundreds of children visit the park each year and bring folded origami paper cranes to the statue to show their hope for peace in the world. On some days you can find thousands of colorful paper cranes draped over Sadako. She is a symbol of peace throughout the world because of the strength she showed while fighting her illness and spreading her message of peace.

Peace Park was the dream of Dr. Floyd Schmoe, who after winning the Hiroshima Peace Prize in 1998, used the $5,000 prize money to clear a small lot near the University of Washington. From a pile of wrecked cars, garbage, and brush, he worked with community volunteers to build Peace Park. The park was dedicated on August 6, 1990, the 45ᵗʰ anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.

Location: Peace Park, Northeast 40th Street & Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle WA  98105