Commemorative Bench

Commemorative Trees and Benches

The Commemorative Tree and Bench Program allows the public to pay tribute to a person or occasion by purchasing a park tree or bench for installation in a City of Oshawa public park.

Please note that there will be no on site visit with staff and that staff will choose the exact location of the tree and/or bench. Community members cannot be on site when the tree or bench is being installed for safety reasons.

Tree planting, bench and plaque installations

Season	Deadline
For spring 2022	The application process is currently closed for 2022
For fall 2022	The application process is currently closed for 2022

Commemorative tree

There are no commemorative tree locations available at Lakeview Park, Memorial Park or the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens/Kinsmen Valleyview Park. However almost every other park within the City is available, when you fill out the application, you will get to choose from a list of parks.

Commemorative tree fee: $609.31 + H.S.T. = $688.52
Fee includes: commemorative tree, plaque (maximum 100 characters) and replacement if necessary
Plaque wording is subject to City approval
Trees are planted when possible in either late spring or early summer or mid fall, depending on when the application was approved.

Donations are eligible for a tax receipt. Ashes and other items are not allowed to be placed near or on the tree, and any such items will be removed

Commemorative bench

There are no commemorative bench locations available at Lakeview Park, Memorial Park or the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens/Kinsmen Valleyview Park.

Ed Broadbent park is not finished and applications for this park will be denied. Applications will be accepted once the park is finished in 2023, the website will be updated at that time.

A bench must be installed along a walkway to meet the City's Accessibility Standards, when you fill out the application for a bench, you will pick from a list of locations available.

Commemorative bench fee: $2,312.31 + H.S.T. = $2,612.91
Fee includes: commemorative metal bench, bronze plaque (maximum of 100 characters), cement pad, installation and replacement if necessary
Benches must be installed along a pathway
Plaque wording is subject to City approval
Donations are eligible for a tax receipt
The bench installation process can take up to four months and includes:
- Production and delivery (can take up to three months - dependent on supplier)
- Cement pad to be poured and cured
- Bench installation

Ashes and other items are not allowed on the bench or planted around the bench, and any such items will be removed

How to apply

Complete the application now

For multiple requests, please fill out the application for each one, as items will be approved individually.

Once approved, you will receive a request for payment.

If you are interested and require assistance with the application process, please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311.

Policy

The City of Oshawa reserves the right to approve or deny any request for a commemorative tree and/or bench.
The City shall approve the tree species and the final location of any tree and/or bench. The City retains the right to relocate a donated tree and/or bench at any time. If relocation is required, Parks staff will contact the donor to discuss alternative locations.
All items donated to Parks Services, and/or their associated plaques, become City of Oshawa property. Accordingly, the City will maintain the donated items for their expected life span.
Applications will be reviewed throughout the year and installations shall be scheduled as appropriate for the season, considering operational needs.
Standard memorial plaques shall be used to ensure consistency in cost, size, type and mounting. Plaque language is subject to City approval.
A ceremony or gathering will be permitted; however, in the interest of safety it cannot be held on the day of installation.
The City does not allow ashes or memorial items to be placed under, near, around or on any commemorative tree or bench.