Photo Credit: Courtesy of Karen Shragg
As park managers, we are in an extraordinary position to help people cope with grief. That may seem like an odd statement since we are in the business of helping people enjoy their leisure time, but park professionals not only help create a connection with the outdoors during good times; as soon as people experience a loss, they seek us out for comfort. After 9/11 there was a huge surge in the usage of the woodland trails, lakes and prairies of our parks for this very reason.
A Dual Purpose
For years parks have added memorial benches, drinking fountains, fireplaces and various other items, all of which are beneficial. They help build infrastructure, and soothe pain with remembrance because a loved one’s name is memorialized in a public place and will not be forgotten.
Particularly this year, as we all face budget cuts, it is time to take memorials to the next level. People are always looking for meaningful ways to remember their loved ones. Naming gardens, play areas and overlooks in loving memory serves two purposes: