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The Town is looking for feedback to help refresh its Tree and Bench Dedication program. This program lets community members pay tribute to the memory of a loved one by purchasing a commemorative tree or bench.
The goal
To create a more affordable, accessible, and sustainable program for community members to memorialize a loved one in a meaningful way.
While we complete this review, the Town has temporarily put the existing program on hold. We know how much this program means to residents, and it’s important to get it right. That’s why we want to hear from you.
Get Involved
Review the chart below and share your Tree and Bench Program preferences with us through a short survey between October 13 to October 28. Your feedback will help inform the development of the Town's Tree and Bench Program being brought forward for Council approval later this year.
Commemorative Tree and Bench Program Proposed Changes
Current Policy
Proposed Changes
Benefits
Tree Dedications
Trees with bronze plaque dedications are only permitted in Civic Centre Park at a cost of $2,620 per dedication.
Due to the success of the program, there is no longer space left for further tree planting at Civic Park.
Trees without plaques can be installed in any park at a cost of $1,270 per dedication.
Option 1
Trees with bronze plaque dedications would be permitted in parks at a cost of $2,620 per dedication.
Continued opportunity to have tree dedications with bronze plaques in parks.
Option 2
Commemorative Tree dedications, without plaques, would be permitted in parks.
An online map would be available to view all commemorative tree locations in the Town.
Applicants would receive a photograph of their tree and printable certificate recognizing the dedication.
Cost: $1,270 per dedication.
Fewer plaques will lead to reduced maintenance costs and budget savings for the Town.
More environmentally sustainable.
Current Policy
Proposed Changes
Benefits
Bench Dedications
Plaque on an Existing Bench
A bronze plaque can be placed on any existing available bench.
The plaque is mounted on a concrete pillar under the bench.
Cost: $3,560
Plaque material changed to stainless-steel.
The plaque would be mounted to the backrest of the bench.
Cost: $1,580
Cost savings for the applicant.
Reduced maintenance costs and budget savings for the Town.
Plaque on a New Bench
A new bench to be dedicated is purchased and installed in a Town park.
The bronze plaque is mounted on a concrete pillar under the new bench.
Cost: $5,670
Plaque material changed to stainless-steel.
The plaque would be mounted to the backrest of the bench.
New bench still purchased and installed.
Cost: $4,690
Cost savings for the applicant.
Reduced maintenance costs and budget savings for the Town.
Current Policy
Proposed Changes
Benefits
Maintenance
Vandalism of Plaques
The Town will pay for and replace any vandalized tree plaque or bench plaque for the first year.
Excluding vandalism, the Town will maintain and replace any tree or bench dedication plaque for the foreseeable future.
The Town will pay for and replace any vandalized tree plaque or bench plaque for the first year.
Excluding vandalism, the Town will maintain and replace any tree or bench dedication plaque for up to two years.
After two years, any tree or bench plaque that is in poor, unsafe condition or vandalized will be removed, and the applicant can choose to reapply for a replacement at full cost.
Reduced maintenance costs and budget savings for the Town.
The Town is looking for feedback to help refresh its Tree and Bench Dedication program. This program lets community members pay tribute to the memory of a loved one by purchasing a commemorative tree or bench.
The goal
To create a more affordable, accessible, and sustainable program for community members to memorialize a loved one in a meaningful way.
While we complete this review, the Town has temporarily put the existing program on hold. We know how much this program means to residents, and it’s important to get it right. That’s why we want to hear from you.
Get Involved
Review the chart below and share your Tree and Bench Program preferences with us through a short survey between October 13 to October 28. Your feedback will help inform the development of the Town's Tree and Bench Program being brought forward for Council approval later this year.
Commemorative Tree and Bench Program Proposed Changes
Current Policy
Proposed Changes
Benefits
Tree Dedications
Trees with bronze plaque dedications are only permitted in Civic Centre Park at a cost of $2,620 per dedication.
Due to the success of the program, there is no longer space left for further tree planting at Civic Park.
Trees without plaques can be installed in any park at a cost of $1,270 per dedication.
Option 1
Trees with bronze plaque dedications would be permitted in parks at a cost of $2,620 per dedication.
Continued opportunity to have tree dedications with bronze plaques in parks.
Option 2
Commemorative Tree dedications, without plaques, would be permitted in parks.
An online map would be available to view all commemorative tree locations in the Town.
Applicants would receive a photograph of their tree and printable certificate recognizing the dedication.
Cost: $1,270 per dedication.
Fewer plaques will lead to reduced maintenance costs and budget savings for the Town.
More environmentally sustainable.
Current Policy
Proposed Changes
Benefits
Bench Dedications
Plaque on an Existing Bench
A bronze plaque can be placed on any existing available bench.
The plaque is mounted on a concrete pillar under the bench.
Cost: $3,560
Plaque material changed to stainless-steel.
The plaque would be mounted to the backrest of the bench.
Cost: $1,580
Cost savings for the applicant.
Reduced maintenance costs and budget savings for the Town.
Plaque on a New Bench
A new bench to be dedicated is purchased and installed in a Town park.
The bronze plaque is mounted on a concrete pillar under the new bench.
Cost: $5,670
Plaque material changed to stainless-steel.
The plaque would be mounted to the backrest of the bench.
New bench still purchased and installed.
Cost: $4,690
Cost savings for the applicant.
Reduced maintenance costs and budget savings for the Town.
Current Policy
Proposed Changes
Benefits
Maintenance
Vandalism of Plaques
The Town will pay for and replace any vandalized tree plaque or bench plaque for the first year.
Excluding vandalism, the Town will maintain and replace any tree or bench dedication plaque for the foreseeable future.
The Town will pay for and replace any vandalized tree plaque or bench plaque for the first year.
Excluding vandalism, the Town will maintain and replace any tree or bench dedication plaque for up to two years.
After two years, any tree or bench plaque that is in poor, unsafe condition or vandalized will be removed, and the applicant can choose to reapply for a replacement at full cost.
Reduced maintenance costs and budget savings for the Town.
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