A way to keep memories ever green in Naperville

While trying to think of a unique way to propose to his girlfriend, Mike Wesling stumbled upon a plaque at the base of a tree in a Naperville park.

A few minutes of Internet research culminated in what might be the first eco-friendly marriage proposal.

Wesling took advantage of Naperville Park District's "Forever Green" tree campaign that allows participants to plant a tree and stake a plaque in the Naperville park of their choice for $500 to honor someone or something.

"We also send them a list of tree species to choose from and they work with staff to find a spot in the park that is agreeable to them," said Nancy Thompson, the district's marketing assistant who oversees the project. "Then I work with them on the wording for the plaque."

Wesling chose a spot in DuPage River Park to plant a tree. A year later, he admits he can't remember which of 17 available species it is.

"We took the dog for a walk and I walked up to the tree I had planted and tried to casually point out the plaque to get her attention," Wesling said. "She did kind of a double-take and was kind of confused, but once she saw the ring, she figured it out pretty quickly."

His girlfriend, Melissa, said yes and the couple was married in early August. They will likely make a stop by their tree this weekend to celebrate the anniversary of the proposal, he said.

Thompson said 203 people have planted trees through the program that originated in 1972 to honor the passing of Lester Schloerb, the park board's original president.

They have been planted to commemorate a variety of events in the lives of residents. Park officials compared the program to the star-naming enterprises that have popped up on the Internet over the years, but with a more tangible and useful product.

Proceeds generated by the program cover the price of the tree, plaque and planting.

Even current park board vice president Charlie Brown recently had a tree planted to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary.

"First of all, it plants a tree and that's always a good thing," he said. "But when you've been married 50 years, what do you go out and get somebody you haven't gotten before? And this is something my wife really likes to show the neighbors."

Myra Powers planted a tree in memory of her son, Michael, who died in a car crash in 1980. A swamp white oak is planted adjacent the baseball fields near Centennial Beach downtown commemorating the teenager's passing.

"I love nature and trees and this was something living and growing that I thought would be nice," she said. "I just remember the idea catching my fancy at the time."

The Riverwalk area is the only place among the 150-plus parks in the system that has reached its memorial-tree quota, Thompson said.

"There's not a lot of planting space there at this point," she said. "But everywhere else, we've got room. There hasn't been any concern expressed at this point about running out of space. I wouldn't say any one park is more popular than another."

About 12 to 15 trees are planted each year at Naperville parks through the program, Thompson said. Because the program was created to promote tree planting, officials will replace any dedicated trees that die or become damaged.

Information of the park district's Forever Green program is available on the district's Web site, www.napervilleparks.org.