Rooted in Memory
July 2026
Some places become part of our story. For Ashley and his husband Janak, that place was Piedmont Park.
As longtime Midtown residents, the Park became an extension of their neighborhood and the backdrop for countless cherished memories. Their story began just down the street at Einstein’s, where they first met and became close friends before their friendship grew into a lasting partnership. Weekend brunches often ended with a walk through the Park.
A Park That Shaped a Life Together
Over the years, Piedmont Park became woven into their lives. They trained for marathons on the Active Oval, packed picnics beneath the trees, celebrated the Atlanta Pride Festival, and watched the Great Blue Heron at Lake Clara Meer. One of Ashley’s favorite memories came when Atlanta was blanketed in snow. They would walk to the Park to build two snowmen and took photos together, creating memories as the snowfall.
As Atlanta grew and the Park expanded with new trails and gathering spaces, Ashley and his husband watched both evolve together. To them, Piedmont Park was one of Atlanta’s greatest treasures, an essential green space where people gather, connect, and find nature in the heart of the city.
A Living Memorial
After his husband’s passing, Ashley knew there was only one place where he wanted to honor the life they had shared.
Sweetbay Magnolias had long been part of their story. Janak loved the tree’s fragrant blossoms, and together they planted two in their own yard. Planting the same tree in Piedmont Park felt like a way to carry that into a place that had given them so much.
Today, Ashley’s commemorative Sweetbay Magnolia stands along Lake Clara Meer, overlooking the Midtown skyline they admired together. It offers him a place to visit, reflect, and feel connected.
Growing Forward
As the Sweetbay Magnolia grows beside Lake Clara Meer, Ashley hopes it becomes part of countless other stories. He imagines visitors pausing beneath its branches to enjoy its fragrant blossoms, rest in its shade, or simply take a quiet moment in the Park.
Just as Piedmont Park shaped the life he and his husband shared, Ashley hopes the tree will help others create memories of their own. In that way, a deeply personal tribute becomes a lasting gift, one that will continue to grow alongside the Park for generations to come.
Commemorative trees offer a meaningful way to honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone, or create a lasting legacy in Piedmont Park. To learn more about the Conservancy’s commemorative giving program, please contact the Piedmont Park Conservancy.
