Community Environmental Initiatives

Commemorative Park Bench & Tree Program

The City of Hamilton's Commemorative Park Bench and Tree program is currently on hold and will resume when the Stay at Home Order and the State of Emergency have been lifted.


Program information

Honour an individual or group by purchasing a park bench or tree for your local park. Donations of cash or gifts in kind to the Parks program allow for substantial improvements to our parks, and inspire community pride and a sense of place.  

Benches and trees are the property of the City of Hamilton once purchased. They will be maintained at the discretion of staff in accordance with lifecycle analysis of the item. 

Note:

  • The Commemorative Park Bench and Tree Program is operated at full cost recovery and therefore prices listed on this website are subject to change without notice in order to reflect true costs;
  • Donors should anticipate that installation/planting of commemorative benches/trees are generally completed one-year following the receipt of a donation. This timeline is extended for donations received in the fall and winter months;
  • Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to experience some delays in this program, resulting in longer than normal timelines to those listed on this website and in the agreements attached. 

Plaques for park benches measure 5 cm by 20 cm (2 inches by 8 inches). The size of the plaque cannot exceed these measurements.

Wording for the plaques:

  • Must be no more than 60 characters or three to four lines of text.
  • Must be respectful and tasteful. 
  • Must be approved by the City of Hamilton.

The City may limit the number of plaques dedicated to an individual or group.
Plaque orders take about eight to 10 weeks before they are ready for installation. Installation times may vary based on bench style, availability and weather conditions.

Bench locations

You can request a commemorative bench in eligible parks within the City.

  • We cannot place commemorative benches on lands under the ownership or jurisdiction of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Royal Botanical Gardens or the School Board.
  • We cannot place benches on any streetscape locations or in any of the Business Improvement Areas in the City of Hamilton.

Cost

Bench Style Bench Image Cost

Standard concrete bench with plaque

  • sustainable plastic
  • no arms
  • concrete legs
Bench: $1,050
With plaque: $1,550

Standard “Classic Riverside” bench with plaque

  • sustainable plastic
  • no arms 
Bench: $1,700
With plaque: $2,200

Ornamental “Classic Riverside A” bench with plaque

  • sustainable plastic
  • arms
Bench: $1,950
With plaque: $2,450

Vandalism, graffiti, theft and weathering

The following are guidelines around vandalism, graffiti, theft and weathering for commemorative benches:

  • If your plaque is vandalized or stolen, the City will pay for one replacement plaque. Additional replacements are the donor’s responsibility.
  • We do not refurbish benches on a regular schedule. The bench remains in place for the lifecycle of the bench, up to 10 years. The bench is removed when it becomes unsafe or unusable. When the bench is removed we attempt to return the plaque to the original donor. 

Plaques for tree donations measure 15 cm by 20 cm (6 inches by 8 inches).

Wording for the plaques:

  • Must be no more than 10 lines of text.
  • Must be respectful and tasteful. 
  • Must be approved by the City of Hamilton.

The City of Hamilton may limit the number of plaques dedicated to an individual or group.
Plaque orders take about eight to10 weeks before they are ready for installation. Installation times may vary based on bench style, availability and weather conditions. 

Tree locations

You can purchase a commemorative tree for eligible parks within the City of Hamilton.

  • We cannot place trees on lands under the ownership or jurisdiction of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Royal Botanical Gardens or the School Board.
  • We cannot place trees on any streetscape locations or in any of the Business Improvement Areas in the City of Hamilton.

Cost

The cost for a commemorative tree is as follows:

  • Tree donation without plaque - $500
  • Tree donation with plaque - $1,000

Vandalism, graffiti, theft and weathering

The following are guidelines around vandalism, graffiti, theft and weathering for commemorative trees:

  • If your plaque is vandalized or stolen, the City will pay for one replacement plaque. Additional replacements are the donor’s responsibility.
  • If the tree dies it we remove it.  When the tree is removed we attempt to return the plaque to the original donor.

Here are the steps to take to donate a park bench or tree:

1. Ensure that the park you are requesting is eligible for the program by checking the “Parks and trails not eligible for bench or tree locations” tab below, or contact us by phone at 905-546 -2424 ext 7734 or email [email protected].

2. The requested park location must be approved by City staff before application is submitted. Once approved fill out the:

3. Submit the application form by mail along with your payment. Pricing for each item is found within the order forms.

By mail:
City of Hamilton
77 James St. N., Suite 400
Hamilton, Ontario L8R 2K3
Attention Gina Fabello, Administrative Secretary
Commemorative Bench & Tree ProgramParks and Cemeteries
Public Works Department

The following parks and trails are some of the locations that are not eligible for bench or tree donations.

Park Name Location
Battlefield Park 77 King Street West
Bayfront Park 200 Harbour Front Drive
Chedoke Twin Pad Arena (Park) 91 Chedmac Drive
City Hall 71 Main Street West
Chedoke Golf Course 563 Aberdeen Avenue
Confederation Park 80 Van Wagner's Beach Road
Dieppe Veterans' Memorial Park 1033 Beach Boulevard
Dundas Driving Park 1 71 Cross Street
Dundurn Park 600 York Boulevard
Fieldcote Memorial Park 64 Sulphur Springs Road
Glen Manor - The Veevers Home 22 Veevers Drive
Gore Park 1 Hughson Street South
Hamilton Beach Recreation Trail (Beach Strip) Confederation Park Area Trail
Hamilton Harbour Waterfront Trail Bayfront Park Area Trail
King’s Forest Golf Course 100 Greenhill Avenue
Macassa Bay Walkway 102 Harbour Front Drive
Museum of Steam & Technology 900 Woodward Avenue
Pier 4 Park 64 Leander Drive
Sam Lawrence Park 255 & 371 Concession Street
Turner Park 344 Rymal Road East
Waterdown Memorial Park 226 Main Street North, Waterdown
Westfield Heritage Centre 1049 Kirkwall Road
Whitehern 41 Jackson Street West
William Connell Park 1086 West 5th Street

Contact us

Phone 905-546 -2424 ext 7734
Email [email protected]