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. 
• Benches with the plaque take between five to eight weeks to arrive from the supplier. Residents will be informed once the bench is installed. Benches will be installed in the fall of each year.

Tree planting, bench and plaque installations

Commemorative tree

When filling out the form, please choose a park that you are interested in. However it is subject to approval from City staff.  There are no commemorative tree locations available at Bonnie Brae Point, Easton Park, Ed Broadbent Park, Lakeview Park, Memorial Park, Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens/Kinsmen Valleyview Park, Rose Valley Park, Rotary Park, Rundle Park or Willowdale Park.

Commemorative tree fee: $688.50 plus HS.T. = $778

Fee includes: 

• Commemorative tree
• Plaque (maximum 100 characters) Plaque wording is subject to City approval
• Replacement if necessary

Additional Information:

• Trees are planted when possible in either late spring, 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, Northway Court Park, Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens/Kinsmen Valleyview Park, Rotary Park or Rose Valley.

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: $2,969.21 plus H.S.T. = $3,355.21

Fee includes: 

• commemorative metal bench
• bronze plaque - A plaque can only fit 25 characters (including spaces) per line, with a maximum of four lines. When submitting the plaque wording, please ensure it is exactly how you would like it. (examples Capitals and dashes). Plaque wording is subject to City approval
• cement pad
• installation which includes
  • Production and delivery (can take up to three months - dependent on supplier)
  • Cement pad to be poured and cured
  • Bench installation
• replacement if necessary

Additional Information:

• Benches must be installed along a pathway
• Benches will be installed in the Fall of the year it is ordered
• Donations are eligible for a tax receipt
• 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

Please apply with the online application. The spring tree application is closed for 2025, apply now to have the tree planted this fall.

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

Once approved, you will receive an email request for payment.

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