MEMORIAL DONATION PROGRAM: PARKS

Recommendation

The Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Commission and staff recommend that Council:

1. Approve an annual memorial donation program for parks and recreation facilities; and
2. Approve the 1998 Annual Parks Donation List.

Background

On several occasions, the Commission and City Council have been presented with requests from citizens who wished to donate various items to the City in memoriam. To date, the City has dealt with these requests on a case-by-case basis.

While these donations have generally been accepted by the City in the generous spirit in which they are given, the manner of recognition provided for the individuals being remembered has been inconsistent and left largely up to the person making the donation.

Analysis

As a result of this approach, some of the parks contain a variety of markers in memory of individuals, which can be difficult to maintain and are sometimes vulnerable to theft and vandalism. In addition, while a donor may wish to plant a tree and/or place a park bench in a certain area, these offers may not be at all consistent with park plans, current needs and/or aesthetics.

If the City established: (a) an annual list of park items available for this purpose (appropriate to memorials); and (b) specific criteria for name recognition, then prospective donors would be able to select items that provide a dual benefit to the City and the individual.

For example, the Parks and Recreation Commission has approved a 1998 Memorial Donation List as follows:

1998 Donation List for Parks and Recreation Facilities

Item	Cost	Recognition*	Locations/#
Park Benches	$1,600	Bronze Plaque 3"X5"X1/4"	Greenbelt & Valley Park (10)
Veterans Memorial Flags	US, 3'X5', $80 POW, " , $20	None	Veterans Memorial (unlimited)
Theatre Seats	TBD ($300-500) to the HBCCF	Brass plaque on left arm of chair (2")	Civic Theatre (100)
Trees	$300	Can schedule planting ceremony. No plaques. Trees must be selected by the City.	South Park (10)

• The City will not be responsible to replace markers and/or plaques if they are damaged or vandalized.

• The City reserves the right to remove any and all equipment and/or recognition markers at anytime.

By establishing a policy that would have the Commission review these items annually, staff will be able to handle these requests administratively, expediting the process and providing an easier way for prospective donors to establish a meaningful memorial. This process of readiness may in-fact increase donations to the City by including annual lists in the recreation brochure so that the concept is introduced to current and future donors.

Fiscal Impact: To be determined.

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