The Woodridge Park District is saddened to learn that someone recently removed sentimental rocks placed by family and friends from a memorial tree at Lake Harriet. A note found near the tree and posted on social media was not authored by the Woodridge Park District and was promptly removed by our staff. Please be assured that any official communication from the District will come from a Park District email address, on Woodridge Park District letterhead, or via a phone call from a Park District employee.
We do not know who wrote the note or removed the rocks, and we do not condone this behavior. We kindly ask that the individual who removed the rocks return them to the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center so they can be given back to the family.
Memorial trees within the parks are wonderful ways to remember loved ones. We have structured the program to include a plaque mounted on a large, heavy rock installed by our maintenance department and a mulch ring that surrounds each tree. Not only is this simple design for aesthetic consistency within the parks, but more importantly, this simplicity ensures that mowers can safely and effectively maintain the grass surrounding the trees without the potential for blades impacting personal treasures or creating the potential for an item to become a projectile should a mower contact it.
District staff has spoken with the resident who purchased the memorial tree to let her know about the reasons why placing rocks and other personal items in the parks surrounding memorial trees not only creates the above safety concern, but also results in the potential for items of value to be taken without the District’s knowledge.
In an effort to provide a space for memorial-type rocks that would be less of a safety and maintenance concern, more closely monitored by District staff, and useable by everyone in the community, a question will be added to the 2025 District-wide community survey (scheduled to occur in the first quarter of 2025 conducted and reported by an independent consultant) to gauge the community’s interest in creating a community rock garden. Upon completion, results of the survey will be shared with the Board of Commissions and the Woodridge Community and are a tool used to guide the Woodridge Park District’s Strategic Master Plan for 2026 – 2030.
