4 Ways to Honor Your Partner in Your Local City Park

If your partner has passed away recently, and you're looking for ways to honor them, your local city park offers several great options. These can also be used for a partner still with us if you'd like to commemorate a milestone birthday or anniversary for your loved one. Let's look at four ways to honor your partner in a local city park.

1= Placing a Park Bench in Their Honor

Naturally, you'll need permission from the local parks department, but placing a park bench is a great way to honor a loved one. You can add a new bench or place a plaque on one already installed.

They will likely want you to purchase the bench yourself, but as long you ask beforehand, they're not likely to have an issue with you improving the park experience for everyone in the city.

2- Clean Up Trash in Their Name

Many cities rely on volunteers for trash pickup, especially in city parks and other public places like highways. These are often accompanied by signs with the name of the person or organization, allowing you to choose options like "Friends of [Person's Name]" or "In Loving Memory of [Name]."

This is another excellent way to preserve the memory of a loved one, but it also requires a commitment. Of course, you're always free to pick up trash to honor them on time without a sign or agreement with the city.

3- Plant a Tree

Similar to adding a park bench, many cities will allow you to plant a tree (or, in some cases, plant one for you) accompanied by a plaque with the name of your beloved. The city's parks department website usually has a section or a form to fill out for such requests. If possible, consider planting your loved one’s favorite type of tree or one that represents them. For example, you could plant the state tree from their home state.

If they don't, you can contact them directly and ask if they'd allow you to do it. They may not be willing to add a plaque or nameplate, but they'll probably not object to its planting as long as it's in the designated area.

4- Buying a Brick or Donating

This option won't apply in every city park, but many parks can "buy" an engraved brick with a loved one's name on a walking path or on the side of a building.

Other parks, especially those with playgrounds, may have some other form of recognition like wooden planks where donors can honor loved ones instead of putting their name or company. As with the other options, contact the local Parks Department to learn more.

By installing a bench, planting a tree, picking up trash, or buying a brick in your local city park, you can honor the memory of your partner or commemorate a milestone anniversary or birthday. Whether they're still with us or not, the memory of your shared amazing love will live on for generations to come.