Donations in Honour and Memory

While most parks are candidates for the Donations in Honour and Memory program, there are currently some parks that are not available to this program or have limitations.

• Maple Park
  • New bench donation is currently not available.
  • Donors wishing to donate a bench can do so under the Rotary Club's Memorial Forest   Program.  Please contact Rotary Club of Burlington Central for program details and new bench donation locations.
• Beachway Park
  • The Beachway Park Master Plan Review process is underway; once the master plan is completed it will provide a guide to locations of new amenities. Installation of all new donation amenities including benches will be on hold until the master plan is finalized.

Once a park site has been chosen, city staff will strive to fulfill the donor's wish for the specific location of the amenity within the park. The following are Guiding Principles to finding a suitable location and they apply to both park sites and locations along city roads. These principles ensure the amenity location is compatible with the intended design/functionally of the park, and is considerate of user safety, accessibility and maintenance requirements.

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

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

• The plaque is to convey a positive message which maintains a pleasant atmosphere.
• Exact wording will need to be reviewed and approved by City staff.
• Design and layout will be set-up by City staff.
• The plaque size will be 3" x 8".
• The plaque material will be cast bronze or stainless steel as pre-determined for the site.

Prior to manufacturing of the plaque, the donors will be required to approve and sign off on the final plaque design.

The amenities for this Program are different types of park furniture such as park benches and bike racks; benches being the most popular choice.  Donors can select from a pre-established list of amenities they wish to donate.  The specific models of amenities are pre-selected by City staff.  A request for a donation of a different type of amenity will be evaluated on an individual basis.

The Program opportunity is available at most parks and open spaces owned or managed by the City, and along City roads.  Please note that not all parks or open spaces offer this opportunity.

Based on availability at a particular site, the donor will select an amenity for donation.  City staff will work with the donor to determine a specific location for the amenity within the site to ensure overall compatibility with the site's intended design and functionality, and to ensure that there is a balanced number and type of amenities within the site.  Proposed amenities along City roads may require public consultation.

The sites will be reviewed on an annual basis and revised as sites reach their maximum capacity for this Program.

Donors may request to make a donation at any time.  The donor must submit a cheque for the full amount of the donation prior to the City ordering the amenity.  The selected location for the amenity can only be reserved once payment has been received by the City.

Donation request must be finalized by mid August 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 the City cannot provide a specific installation date. 

Records of the Program will be maintained in the City's Parks and Open Space, Capital Works Department.  It is the donor's or the alternate contact's responsibility to update the City on any changes to the personal contact information.

This Program is intended to be self-funding.  The established pricing for each donation is determined on an individual basis and will depend on the type of amenity, the plaque, and the cost of installation.

A tax receipt will be issued to the extent permitted by the Income Tax Act.

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

The plaque will be given to the donor (or the alternate contact if the donor cannot be located) when the amenity is removed at the end of its life cycle (as determined by the City).  In the event that the donor or the alternate contacts cannot be located, the plaque will be stored at a City facility for a period of five (5) years, after which it will be repurposed or destroyed.

The amenity may be temporarily removed for the purpose of maintenance, construction or park festivals and activities.

Public access to the site or the amenity location may be restricted if it is deemed unsafe due to adverse weather conditions or construction.

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

The City may permanently change the location of the amenity due to park and road improvement or reconstruction work.  The donor (or the alternate contact if the donor cannot be located) will be informed of this change.

Donors are requested to keep celebration gatherings at the amenity small and informal and in keeping with a celebratory atmosphere.

Due to maintenance considerations, the City requests that donors refrain from placing memorial wreaths, flowers or other memorial items at the amenity location.  Such items may be removed by the City.  As approved through Report PR3/08, the scattering of human and animal remains is not permitted.