WQIO Ohio's Super Station
The City of Delaware’s Oak Grove Cemetery has been awarded Level 1 Accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum. This recognition affirms that Oak Grove has met specific professional standards essential for arboreta and botanical gardens. The ArbNet Accreditation Program is the only global initiative that officially accredits arboreta at various stages of development, capacity, and professionalism.
With this designation, Oak Grove Cemetery is now listed in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a global database of arboreta and gardens dedicated to the cultivation and conservation of woody plants.
Residents are invited to celebrate the accreditation on Friday, April 25, with a 11 am tree tour and a noon dedication and tree planting. Enter through the cemetery’s 141 Liberty Road gate.
Established in 1851 and spanning approximately 70 acres, Oak Grove is the largest cemetery in Delaware County and home to more than 21,000 interments. The City of Delaware assumed oversight of the cemetery in 2012.
A hallmark of the 19th-century rural cemetery movement, Oak Grove was designed to showcase the natural contours of the landscape. Today, the cemetery features a canopy coverage of 38 percent, with over 600 trees representing a variety of species including oak, maple, hickory, and pine. This natural environment supports an array of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, and numerous songbirds such as the Eastern bluebird.
Seasonal highlights include spring blooms of crabapple, redbud, dogwood, and magnolia, the lush summer canopy, vibrant fall foliage in shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown, and winter greenery provided by cedars, spruces, and pines.
Cemetery Administrator Amy Wright led the City’s accreditation efforts.
“This accreditation affirms our long-term commitment to preserving and enhancing Oak Grove’s natural beauty,” said Wright. “It also supports our mission to serve the community as both a place of rest and reflection, and a living landscape rich in history, ecology, and education.”
Wright added that Oak Grove is a year-round destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking quiet reflection. Group and self-guided tours feature topics such as notable Delawareans, local history, bluebird boxes, veterans memorials, and arboretum tree species. Visitors can also enjoy the Woodland Scattering Garden, participate in stone-cleaning workshops, or visit the cemetery’s most iconic monument — a limestone sculpture of an elm tree. Read more about the cemetery at this link.
About the City of Delaware: The City of Delaware is proud to be recognized as an Ohio Magazine Best Hometown and a Money Magazine Top 50 Best Place to Live in America. Home to an award-winning historic downtown and vibrant community life, Delaware is where tradition meets innovation. Learn more at delawareohio.net.
About ArbNet: ArbNet is an international, collaborative network of arboreta dedicated to the advancement of tree-focused institutions. It supports the sharing of knowledge and resources to help arboreta achieve their goals and maintain high professional standards through its accreditation program. Visit arbnet.org for more information.
