Memorial Arboretum
A tree is more than shade and scenery. It is a living legacy that tells a story, honors a memory, and connects us deeply to the places we call home.
What is the Memorial Arboretum?
Established in 2017, the Rome Memorial Arboretum is a heartfelt program that offers individuals and families a deeply meaningful way to honor the memory of a loved one or celebrate a special life event through the planting of trees.
These living memorials do more than provide comfort; they serve as enduring symbols of remembrance, healing, and hope. At the same time, they actively enhance our community by building up Rome's urban tree canopy, supporting local biodiversity, and improving the ecological health of our shared home.
AdventHealth Redmond ECO Greemway
Mount Berry Trail
From the Greenway to Mount Berry
The Rome Memorial Arboretum has expanded to meet the growing needs of our community. By understanding where the program started, you can see how our new site carries this beautiful tradition forward.
The Memorial Arboretum program was first established along the AdventHealth ECO Greenway, stretching from behind the AdventHealth Stadium to the Chieftains Museum.
The Memorial Arboretum along the Greenway:
Lined with mature native and ornamental trees, this peaceful path quickly became a deeply cherished space for local families. Because of the community's incredible participation over the years, this original location has now reached its full natural capacity and can no longer accept new tree dedications. It remains fully maintained by our team as a permanent place of quiet reflection.
The Mount Berry Trail Extension (Current):
This scenic, highly accessible trail was selected not only for its tranquility but for its ecological potential. Planting here allows new dedications to actively support local pollinators, establish native wildlife habitats, and improve the long-term health of Rome's urban forest canopy. The Mount Berry Trail is our active dedication site and is currently welcoming new memorial trees and plaques.
How the Program Works
We have streamlined the dedication process to make it as seamless and meaningful as possible for your family. From selecting the perfect tree to the hand-crafting of the memorial stone, our team handles every detail with care.
Personal Consultation & Guidance
Every dedication begins with a personal connection. Participants meet directly with our Program Coordinator, Hannah Bagley, who will help you navigate the entire process from start to finish. Together, you will select an established, healthy tree from our curated list of thriving, non-invasive species and choose the perfect location along the trail.
Local Craftsmanship & Unmatched Durability
We take immense pride in the quality of our memorial markers. Every single stone is cast entirely in-house by the dedicated Street Department employees within the City of Rome Public Works Division. Because they are locally crafted with commercial-grade care, these concrete markers are engineered to be extremely durable, weather-resistant, and built to withstand the elements for generations.
Investment & Installation
Cost: $250.00
What’s Included:
A premium, custom-engraved 12" x 12" plaque embedded into the hand-cast concrete stone.
Placement:
Once completed, the stone is carefully placed flush at the foot of your selected tree, blending beautifully and meaningfully into the natural landscape without disrupting the surrounding ecosystem.
Our Dynamic Promise of Care
Every single tree in the arboretum is treated as an irreplaceable trust. Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful, in close partnership with our municipal arborists and city teams, actively manages and protects these trees as vital infrastructure and sacred markers.
Our routine, meticulous stewardship includes:
Living Infrastructure Management:
We proactively monitor tree health, soil conditions, and growth to ensure every non-invasive, carefully selected species thrives for generations.
Routine Plaque Maintenance:
We know that every name etched onto a plaque represents a deeply cherished life. Our teams routinely clean each custom-engraved plaque using gentle, non-damaging techniques to remove weathering elements, while keeping the surrounding grounds immaculate and perfectly visible.
We don't just plant these trees—we care for them so your memories continue to grow, bloom, and stay protected.
Dedicate a Tree. Honor a Life
Investing in a memorial tree provides a place of healing for your family while giving a gift of biodiversity, clean air, and life to Rome and Floyd County.
To discuss available tree species, location mapping, or to start your dedication, please reach out directly to our coordinator:
Contact: Hannah Bagley, Program Coordinator
Email: hbagley@romega.us
Phone: (706) 236-4456