Bike riders are common af Memory Gardens where the park-like setting provides peace and tranquility for all ages. . . . and you will not find any "No Bicycle" signs here.

CURRENTLY, THERE is a growing frustration among people because of the lack of adequate park land to spend free time. Industry, as well as numerous housing developments, have swallowed up so many acres of prime land that numerous suburban park officials are finding themselves unable to afford new parks. What is to be done about this problem?

The Memory Gardens Cemetery has accepted this challenge and is taking the lead in providing added park and recreational facilities. Cemeteries are changing drastically. The burial places

Beautiful shrubbery surround the world's largest bronze replica in bos relief
of Leonardo da Vinci's famous masterpiece, the "Last Supper" cast in Firzene, Italy.

William J Pailey is president of Memory Gardens, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 September/October, 1972

The 100-piece Guardsmen Drum and Bugle Corps Marching Band performed at Memory Gardens at a special 4th of July concert.

of old which were once considered to be morbid and dreary, ae now considered areas of beauty and landscape genius. The demand of society for more public parks and similar facilities for leisure hours has given rise to more cemeteries opening to public use, some even including bicycle paths such as the case of Memory Gardens.

This new trend in the cemetery field stems mainly from the public concern for the preservation of the environment, thus causing an increasing demand for cemeteries where the land has been preserved.

MEMORY GARDENS CONCEPT

Due to the competition within the field of private cemeteries, coupled with the concern over the image associated with cemeteries, today, society is witness to what is known as the memorial garden or park concept. There, monuments are flush with the ground thus keeping the landscape free of a multitude of above ground monuments.

Memory Gardens is one of the pioneers of the memorial park concept. Located in a beautiful setting in Arlington Heights, this 80 acre park is landscaped throughout with extensive use of shrubbery, geraniums, flowering crab trees and other colorful plantings, all carefully coordinated and planned. Also included are such features as reflecting pools and fountains.

The Memory Gardens concept gives the cemetery the appearance of a large, well planned park with all the beauty to be found anywhere.

The cemetery is made up of a series of individual gardens, each having a central theme dedicated to beauty and inspiration. At present, there are seven gardens each with its own theme; eventually a total of 22 gardens will comprise the grounds. School children regularly visit the park in groups, most often to see the world's largest bronze replica in bas relief of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece "The Last Supper" cast in Italy. Art authorities have described this work as priceless.

Memory Gardens has encouraged school children, senior citizens and other groups, seeking a beautifully landscaped park, to enjoy the beauty at Memory Gardens. Bicycle riders, discussion classes, or individuals simply seeking the quiet offered by a beautiful park, are now becoming regular visitors to Memory Gardens.

Memory Gardens has just built a special "Veterans Garden of Honor Chapel," the only one of its kind in the country. This unique pavilion is dedicated to the war dead, and veterans' organizations are encouraged to hold special ceremonies and services there at no cost. Nearly 1,000 veterans of wars since World War I are buried in the cemetery. All five services are represented at the pavilion with large bronze plaques depicting their insignias, as well as the flag of each service flown continually from the pavilion.

Memory Gardens is truly unique and is dedicated to the living, not just a place to bury the dead.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 September/October, 1972