Park donations

Options and costs

Payments must be made by cheque after the application is approved.

Option 1: New Bench - $4,000

Donate a new park bench with a plaque for a 10-year term. At the end of that term, you will have the option to renew once for an additional 10 years. The donation covers the cost of the bench, the engraved plaque, concrete pad, installation, and maintenance for 10 years.

Option 2: Bench Renewal - $2,000

Renew your existing bench donation for an additional 10 years and leave the bench and plaque as is. The donor is responsible for contacting Parks Services prior to the end of the term if they wish to renew.

Option 3: Refurbished Bench - $2,000

Donate a new plaque on an existing bench for a 10-year term. At the end of that term, you will have the option to renew once for an additional 10 years.

Note: Program costs are subject to annual review. Development standards are subject to change.

Benches and plaques

Bench sizes and styles are standardized.

Each bronze plaque is 3” x 6” and placed in the centre of the top backboard. Only one plaque per bench. Text on the plaque is limited to one line of 25 characters. Memorial messages are not permitted. We reserve the right for final approval of plaque wording. See the example below.

Locations and installations

Choose from available bench donation locations (approximate). 

Installations are seasonal and done when weather and ground conditions permit as determined by parks staff. Exact installation dates can’t be specified due to weather, supply chains, park development and special events.

There may be a need to relocate a bench (e.g. frequent repairs or park development). We will notify the donor and oversee the relocation and any associated costs. 

Replacements and renewals

Parks Services will cover the cost of replacement due to damage or theft once during the 10-year term. The Operations Manager will determine if an amenity is damaged, destroyed or defaced to an extent that replacement is required. Additional occurrences of damage or theft will be covered at the donor's cost.

Bench donations are fixed 10-year terms. At the end of the term donors have the option to renew for an additional 10 years. Donors have the option to renew the 10-year term only once. The donor is responsible for contacting Parks Services prior to the end of the term if they wish to renew. It is the responsibility of the donor to keep their contact information current with Park Services.

If the donor cannot be reached or chooses not to renew the donation, the plaque will be removed and available for pick-up by the donor. The plaque will be held for 12 months from the time of removal and will be repurposed or destroyed if it is not picked up.

Income tax information

A tax receipt will be made out to the person paying the donation. If separate tax receipts are required, each donor must submit a cheque to receive a tax receipt. A thank you letter and a copy of the tax receipt will be mailed to all donors.

Donor obligation

The donor must keep their contact information current for the duration of the 10-year term. Contact RDCO Parks Services by phone 250-469-6232 or email if your contact information has changed. The donor must contact Parks Services before the end of the 10-year term to discuss renewal or conclusion of your donation.

RDCO obligation to the donor

At the end of the 10-year term, if Parks Services has not heard from the donor about renewal, parks staff will attempt to contact the donor or alternate contact via telephone, email and mail. We will allow a three months grace period for the donor to respond. If the donor cannot be reached or chooses not to renew the donation, the plaque will be removed and available for pick-up by the donor. The plaque will be held for 12 months from the time of removal and will be repurposed or destroyed if it is not picked up.

The process

1. Complete an application and email or mail Attn: Parks Services 1450 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC, V1W 3Z4. Please do not submit payment with this application.
2. Parks staff will contact you to discuss your application and preferred site location.
3. Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the donor will be contacted with payment information.
4. After payment is received parks staff will order the amenity and obtain a plaque proof for approval.
5. Staff will notify the donor when the amenity has been installed.
6. A thank you letter and a tax receipt will be issued to the donor(s).

Terms and conditions

1. If this is a new donation or a refurbished donation, the term of this agreement shall be for ten (10) years, commencing on the date of installation of the plaque. If this is a renewal, then the term of the agreement shall be for ten (10) years commencing on the date of the original contract.
2. New benches: Parks Services will arrange for the acquisition and installation of the donated bench and the plaque. At the end of the initial ten (10) year term, new bench donations may be renewed for an additional ten (10) years at the current year’s price and under the program guidelines in place at that time.
3. Refurbished benches: Selected benches suitable for adoption will be cleaned, boards replaced as needed and a new plaque will be installed. 
4. A donor may choose to renew the ten (10) year term on bench donations only once.
5. We reserve the right for final approval of plaque wording. Text on the plaque is limited to one line of 25 characters. Memorial messages are not permitted. Parks Services will oversee the fabrication and installation of the plaque.
6. Each donor will receive an official tax receipt as outlined in the donation guidelines. A tax receipt will not be issued for the replacement of a plaque only.
7. The donated amenity and the land upon which it is installed is the property of RDCO Parks Services. Parks Services will maintain the donated amenity for the term. Parks Services may, at its sole discretion, relocate the amenity for reasons such as safety, maintenance or park redevelopment. Parks Services will use reasonable efforts to notify the donor of significant changes.
8. If a bench is damaged, destroyed or defaced, within the first 10 years to an extent that, in the opinion of the Operations Manager, replacement is required, Parks Services will replace it one time only at no cost to the donor.
9. If the donor does not contact Parks Services or chooses not to renew, the plaque will be removed and the amenity and/or site may become available to a new donor. The plaque will be held for pick-up at the RDCO office for 12 months from time of removal and will be repurposed or destroyed if it is not picked up.
10. No priority use of the bench will be given to the donor(s); donated benches and the space in which they are installed remains public property.
11. We understand that the donation may have sentimental value; however, park bench donations are not intended to be memorials or shrines. Donors do not have priority use of the amenity or the right to scatter or place cremated remains. Donors cannot place or attach objects or mementos on or adjacent to the bench, such as wreaths or flowers. Donated benches and the space in which they are installed remain the property of the RDCO available for public use.
12. It is the responsibility of the donor to contact Parks Services before the end of the 10-year term.
13. It is the responsibility of the donor to keep their contact information current with the Parks Services office.
14. Any amenity within a park or public space that was installed before these Terms and Conditions will follow the current guidelines for renewal and/or replacement.