Donations in Honour and Memory

The program is available at most parks, other City-owned properties and along some City roads. Please note that not all parks or open spaces offer this opportunity.

Once a site has been chosen, we strive to fulfill your wish to place the amenity at your preferred location at the park or site. When determining location, we work to ensure that there are a balanced number and type of amenities within the site. Proposed amenities along City roads may require public consultation.

The following guiding principles ensure the amenity location is compatible with the intended design and functionality of the location, and considers user safety, accessibility and maintenance requirements:

• Avoid placing the amenity close to private properties
• Ensure the amenity does not obstruct maintenance vehicles (i.e., snow removal equipment)
• Ensure the amenity does not obstruct view of traffic
• Place the amenity adjacent to an accessible pathway
• Place the amenity in open view and avoid hidden areas
• Place the amenity outside of the safety buffer zone of sports fields

Park site limitations

While most parks are candidates for the program, there are some parks that are currently not available or have limitations.

Beachway Park

• Installation of all new donation amenities are on hold until the design of Beachway Park is completed, following the Beachway Park Master Plan.

La Salle Park

• The park is owned by the City of Hamilton and the City of Burlington operates and maintains the park under a lease agreement. After its expiry, we will no longer be responsible for the maintenance of donations and we cannot provide assurance as to the future state of the donation.

Maple Park

• Bench donation is currently not available under this program. If you wish to donate at the park, you can do so under the Rotary Club of Burlington Central's Memorial Forest program.

You can make a donation to purchase different types of park furniture, such as park benches, bike racks and sun shelters. Benches are the most popular choice. We provide a list of amenities for you to choose from, with specific models pre-selected by City staff. If you request a different type of amenity, we will evaluate its suitability for the program.

A plaque with your message will be securely mounted on the amenity and is subject to the following conditions:

• Plaque is meant to convey a positive message, which maintains a pleasant tone
• Exact wording of your message is reviewed by City staff
• No photographic images are posted on the plaque
• Design and layout is set up by City staff
• Plaque size is three inches tall by eight inches wide for benches. The size for other donation amenities is dependent on the amenity's shape and size
• Plaque material is cast zinc or stainless steel, as pre-determined for the site
• You must approve and sign off on the final plaque design before it is manufactured

• Upon installation of the amenity, the plaque cannot be altered. If the donor requests to replace the plaque, a fee of $1,500 will be charged.

Both the plaque and the amenity will be the property of the City and will be maintained by the City for its lifecycle. The amenity will be removed when repair is no longer feasible (as determined by the City) due to damage and deterioration from natural elements or otherwise. The amenity will then be recycled.

The plaque will be given to the donor, or alternate contact if the donor cannot be located, when the amenity is removed at the end of its lifecycle. If we cannot locate the donor or alternate contacts, we will store the plaque at a City facility for five years, after which it will be repurposed or destroyed.

Temporary removal or location change

The amenity may be temporarily removed for the purpose of maintenance, construction or park festivals and activities. We may permanently change the location of the amenity due to park and road improvement or reconstruction work. We will inform you of this change.

Access and celebrations

Public access to the amenity location may be restricted if it is deemed unsafe due to adverse weather conditions or construction. We request you keep celebration gatherings at the amenity small and informal, and in keeping with a celebratory atmosphere. Due to maintenance considerations, we request you do not place memorial wreaths, flowers or other memorial items at the amenity location. These items may be removed. The scattering of human and animal remains is not permitted.

Vandalism

In the event of vandalism, we make reasonable efforts to restore the amenity or the plaque back to its original state but will not replace either item.

You can request to make a donation at any time. You must pay for the full amount of the donation before we order the amenity. The selected location can only be reserved once we receive payment.

Installation

Donation requests must be finalized by June 30 for the amenity to be installed in the same calendar year. Installation of the amenity will take place in late fall. The installation schedule is dependent on many factors, so we cannot provide a specific installation date.

We maintain program records for amenities and donors' contact details. It is your responsibility to update us with any changes to your personal contact information.

This program is intended to be self-funding. The established cost for each donation is based on the type of amenity, plaque and installation cost.

Donation cost of new benches start at $6,000. Donation cost of other amenities will be evaluated on an individual basis, and may vary throughout the year due to fluctuation of the Canadian dollar and supply/demand of the amenities.

Older benches or other older amenities already existing on-site may be adopted under this program if the park/site does not have a need to add more of the same amenities. This will be evaluated on an individual basis. The donation cost of adopting an older amenity is dependent on its age and its remaining years of life.

We issue tax receipts to the extent permitted by the Income Tax Act.