07-07-2014 Park Commission Packet

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City of Sault Sainte Marie MEMORIAL TREE AND PARK BENCH DONATION POLICY It is the policy of the City of Sault Sainte Marie (City) to accept donations for the purpose of planting trees and installing benches within the City Parks to memorialize a departed family member or friend, or to commemorate a special occasion. All donations shall be in compliance with the following: A. Donations for Memorials will be accepted only for the purpose of purchasing and planting of trees, and for purchasing and installing park benches approved by the City. The Community Services Board (CSB) shall review and approve all such donations in advance. B. Memorials shall be self supporting, i.e. all costs related to a memorial shall be at the expense of a donor(s), including repair or replacement, if necessary. If at any point in the future whereas the tree dies and or bench(es) become in disrepair, the City may remove such items. The City is not responsible for maintenance of donations beyond the normal maintenance program. C. Any tree that is mutually agreed upon by the donor and City staff is acceptable. Some trees may be prohibited based on our weather, tree species and soil conditions. D. Most park areas will be permitted, provided that the location is mutually agreed upon by the donor and City staff. E. Memorial tree(s) and bench(es) are permitted to memorialize a departed family member or friend, or, at the discretion of the City, to commemorate a special event. F. Memorial donations will be recognized by use of a memorial plaque which will be displayed near the donated tree(s) or on the donated bench(es). Any displays must be approved by the City in advance. The City will provide residents with a list of recommended park benches for memorial use. This list shall include a description of each bench and color photo. At the request of staff, Community Services Board and the City Commission, the list of recommended benches for memorial use will be reviewed and amended as deemed necessary. Standard memorial plaques shall be used to promote consistency in cost, size, type, and mounting, with plaque language approved by the City. All placements of plaques must be approved by the City to facilitate grass maintenance operations. G. A ceremony or gathering at the time of a tree planting is permitted, but must be arranged in advance with City staff. H. The City does not guarantee tree survivability, park bench(es) and plaque longevity. I. City staff shall maintain a record of each donation. The record shall contain all relevant information such as the donor's name, person's name who is being memorialized, bench and/or tree location, type of tree or bench, etc. (Passed by City Commission - Monday, October 2, 2006)