Middle Township Memory Lane Program

Township of Middle invites you to participate in its Memory Lane Program. Create a lasting memorial tribute to a loved one or celebrate an anniversary, birthday, graduation or wedding.  With memorial and tribute gifts, you can create a giving legacy enjoyed by Middle Township residents for many years to come.

There are many ways to donate to the Middle Township Memory Lane and honor a loved one!
Memorial trees, benches, or bricks are currently available for designation.

opens in a new windowMemorial Trees

Trees are one of nature’s best gifts to humankind; planting trees has always symbolized peace, life, growth, and hope for the future. The gift of a Memorial Tree is a unique way to celebrate and honor or memorialize a special individual while adding a long-lasting aesthetic and environmental benefit to the entire community.

Started with respect for the need for trees and shade at the Clarence Davies Sports Complex in Goshen, our Shade Tree Commission established the Middle Township Memory Lane program. At that time, it was run and organized by Bonita Millard. Since our first dedication in May 1994, over 500 trees have been dedicated in memory of Middle Township residents.

 

 

 

Memorial Tree Program Benefits opens in a new window

  • A unique gift
  • A lasting tribute
  • Beautify the parks
  • Clean the air
  • Provide shade
  • Cool the temperature
  • Ease noise pollution
  • Major generators of pure oxygen
  • Aerate the soil and minimize flood damage
  • Your donation is tax-deductible

 

The following larger tree species are available for dedication: Oak, Red Maple and Tulip Tree. The tree dedication fee for said trees is $500.

The following smaller tree species are available for dedication: Black Gum, Flowering Dogwood, Shadblow Serviceberry, and American Redbud. The tree dedication fee for said trees is $300.

Your dedication fee will go toward caring for one of the available mature trees planted in a public park or another public area. A custom plaque will be permanently placed next to the dedicated tree. In case of the tree demise, Township is not responsible for its replacement or for notifying the donor and/or honoree. Still, we will do everything possible to honor a two-year guarantee on the tree and a five-year warranty on the plaque pending funds availability. opens in a new window

To report a tree maintenance concern, you can call (609) 465-8866 or email vkeun@middletownship.com

 

opens in a new windowMemorial Tree Map

Some of the Memorial Trees that have already been planted are highlighted on the Google Earth Memorial Tree Map.

Please click on the following link to view the virtual  opens in a new windowGoshen Memory Lane Tree Map or opens in a new windowMLK Memory Lane Tree Map.

On the Memory Lane Google Earth Map, all of the available trees are identified with a blue marker  , and all of the dedicated trees with a yellow marker

Memorial Trees Dedicated Before 2015

If you dedicated a tree before 2015 and cannot locate it, or it needs to be replaced, please consider donating toward the Memory Lane Program. Due to the price increase, we can not sustain current replacement costs with original dedication fees. Please reach out to the Memory Lane Coordinator for further assistance.

 

Memorial Bricks

Donating to the commemorative brick program is a great way to memorialize your loved one, share a special date or message, or show support for the Middle Township Recreation Department. Bricks will be engraved with your custom message and placed by the entrance to Goshen Sports Complex. Your donation will support parks and recreation opportunities throughout Middle Township. Bricks take approximately six weeks to order and install. The Recreation Department will contact you when your brick has been completed.

There are two brick sizes available for dedication: 9×9 and 9×15. opens in a new window opens in a new window

For brick size 9×15, the dedication fee is $200 and includes five lines with 18 spaces per line.

For brick size 9×9, the dedication fee is $175 and includes five lines with 11 spaces per line.

Your dedication fee will go toward the engraving and installation of the existing bricks on the pathway to the Goshen Sports Complex.

opens in a new windowMemorial Brick Order Information

 

 

 

Memorial Benches

Township of Middle also offers the opportunity to provide a beautiful public amenity to Recreational Facilities by placing a memorial or a tribute to a loved one with a new bench in their name.

As of  July 2023, we have six garden benches located at Goshen Sports Complex and MLK Center that need replacement. Our preference is to replace existing, older-style benches through your donation, but we will do our best to honor your wishes for a bench location, pending Memory Lane Coordinator considerations. opens in a new window

The dedication fee is $1000, and an installation process takes up to 12 weeks. The price also covers custom engraving with up to 3 lines of wording – 34 characters per line, including spaces. Township of Middle reserves the right to relocate or remove the memorial bench if it’s no longer serves its purpose or damaged beyond repair.

Please note that after a bench is installed, beyond routine maintenance and upkeep, the Township cannot be responsible for replacement should the bench be damaged or destroyed.

All of the Memorial Dedications come with a Certificate that will be mailed or available for pick up at the Townhall. A complimentary Memorial Ceremony is available upon request.

opens in a new windowMemorial Bench Order Information

opens in a new windowLocations of Available Benches

How the Program Works

After you register and fill out an online application on the opens in a new windowMiddle Township RecDesk, contact Varvara Keun, Memory Lane Coordinator, at (609) 465-8866 or opens in a new windowvkeun@middletownship.com to coordinate details surrounding your dedication.

Paper registration can be completed through the opens in a new windowpaper form and emailed, mailed or dropped off at the Town hall at: opens in a new window

Township of Middle
Memory Lane Coordinator
33 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, NJ  08210

For more information about the Memorial Tree Program, please call Varvara (Barbara) Keun, Memory Lane Coordinator at (609) 465-8866.

Waiver:

Your Memory Lane donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowable; please consult your tax professional with any questions about tax deductions.