Introducing RIver Hook’s Memorial Tree Path

Over the past few months, the board of the Friends of River Hook have been laying the groundwork for the preserve’s Memorial Tree Path. We're excited to introduce it to you now, and enlist your support in its completion.

The path, just west of the preserve’s stone carriage house, currently consists of three trees - donated by the Village of Upper Nyack and the Friends of River Hook - and a vibrant wildflower field. 

Our vision is to fill the path with 24 additional flowering trees, along with shrubs and flowers, bringing to life a landscape plan by Ironwood Design that transforms the area into a peaceful haven for community members to spend quiet time reading, meditating, creating art, or taking in the presence of nature. 

We will achieve this vision with your financial support: the Memorial Tree Path is an opportunity for you to honor a loved one while contributing to the beauty, vitality, and sustainability of River Hook. As you can see in the diagram below, the heart-shaped path has two entrances and a seating platform. With your help, we plan to add the array of trees depicted in the images and table below. Each tree will feature a memorial plaque with a custom message selected by its donor.

We are scheduling two tree plantings each year - one in the spring and one in the fall - and are now planning for fall 2026. The list of available trees, along with their prices - inclusive of the tree, a memorial plaque, and ongoing maintenance costs - is provided below. 

We hope you’ll consider donating a tree to the Memorial Tree Path. If you wish to do so, please contact us at friendsofriverhook@gmail.com, where we can also answer any questions you might have about the process. If you don’t wish to donate a tree at this time, but would like to make a gift to the Friends of River Hook, please do so through our donation page. 

We are grateful to have this community’s support of the preserve and our work and look forward to partnering with you on adding memorial trees to the preserve for all of our human and animal neighbors to enjoy. See you at River Hook!