Westerly Library & Wilcox Park Dedication and Sponsorship Policy
Dedicating a tree or shrub is a wonderful way of memorializing or honoring a person, pet, organization, or special occasion. Each new and adopted tree and shrub dedication is acknowledged in the Memorial Album, held in the office of the Park Superintendent and published on our website. Dedication ceremonies are available to mark the occasion. In addition, sponsoring the maintenance of a tree or shrub offers an opportunity to take part in the stewardship and management of the park. Dedications and sponsorships help support the maintenance of Wilcox Park and the financial well-being of the Memorial & Library Association, owner and operator of Westerly Library & Wilcox Park.
Please contact Alan Peck, Park Superintendent, for more information at 401-596-2877 x 334 or apeck@westerlylibrary.org.
Dedicated Trees
Please note the below pricing is the minimum donation level per dedication option. We welcome amounts above the minimum level which are left to the discretion of the donor.
New Trees - $1,500
The donor is entitled to a tree with a commemorative tag to be planted in Wilcox Park. The tag inscription will state either “in memory of name” or “in honor of name.”
The tree species and location will be determined based on the ongoing planting needs of the park. Choices may be available regarding the species and general location.
New trees will be maintained in a professional arboricultural manner. In the event the tree dies within 5 years of planting, it will be replaced by the Association. Tree selection of a replacement is at the sole discretion of the
Park Superintendent and may differ from the original in terms of species, age, and size. New trees will be established in the closest viable planting season.
General maintenance of the tree and surrounding area is provided by the Association. If the dedicated tree is suffering from disease or physical damage reasonable efforts will be made to save the tree. Trees that require removal for any reason after the 5-year timeframe are not required to be replaced by the Association.
Adopt-a-Tree (mature trees already in the Park) - $500
When specific areas of the Park are not available or appropriate for new plantings, the Adopt-a-Tree option allows donors to identify existing mature trees in the Park to dedicate. As stewards of the park, the Association must preserve its ecological, aesthetic, and historic integrity. The Adopt-a-Tree option allows donors to identify existing mature trees in the park that have not yet been dedicated or adopted.
A current list of possible trees to adopt, along with their location, is available upon request. As the Wilcox Park database of trees and shrubs is relatively recent, exact ages of these mature trees may be unknown.
Dedicated Shrubs (grouping of 3) - $750
The donor is entitled to 3 shrubs with a commemorative tag to be planted in Wilcox Park. The tag inscription will state either “in memory of name” or “in honor of name.” Only one tag will be attached in the group of shrubs.
The shrub species and location will be determined based on the ongoing planting needs of the park. Choices may be available regarding the species and general location.
New shrubs will be maintained in a professional arboricultural manner. In the event any of the shrubs die within 5 years of planting, it will be replaced by the Association. Shrub selection of a replacement is at the sole discretion of the Park Superintendent and may differ from the original in terms of species, age, and size. New shrubs will be established during the closest viable planting season.
General maintenance for the shrubs and surrounding area is provided by the Association. If the dedicated shrubs are suffering from disease or physical damage reasonable efforts will be made to save the shrub as funding allows. Shrubs that require removal for any reason after the 5-year timeframe are not required to be replaced by the Association.
All dedicated shrubs are the property of the Association. The Association retains the right to relocate or remove shrubs and their tags without advance notice to the donor. However, reasonable attempts will be made to contact the donor prior to such action.
Sponsorship - $250+
Wilcox Park is a 15-acre accredited arboretum, a veritable museum of living trees. It exists to promote an understanding and appreciation of nature, utilizing its vast collection of trees, woody shrubs, and flower gardens for the community to enjoy.
Maintenance of the arboretum extends beyond our living specimens to the upkeep of our monuments and markers, landscape features, and historic outdoor spaces such as the Esplanade and Memorial Fountain.
Sponsorship allows for patrons to support the park beyond donating or adopting individual trees and shrubs providing for the park’s long-term preservation and maintenance, including the survival and integrity of majestic specimens from disease and the support of park programs and projects.
Donors should contact the Park Superintendent as to available sponsorship opportunities.
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Requests for monuments, statuary, benches, and other physical commemorative gifts in honor of persons or events will not be considered at this time. For other ways to donate, please refer to the Support section of our website.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, December 16, 2025
