Park Bench Donation Program

Council has approved a Park Bench Donation Policy and has directed staff to proceed with the Implementation Strategy detailed in the December 10, 2025 staff report.

Staff have been directed to return to Council with a proposed amendment of the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673, 1992 that includes the proposed fees for the Park Bench Donation Program at 100% cost recovery.

Final details of the Park Bench Donation Program are still to be determined. Under the new program, bench donations will be limited to fifteen benches per year. Plaques will have approved inscription guidelines for donated benches. Staff will also identify possible new bench locations during park planning and trail reviews.

The City of Courtenay is contacting former donors with important updates about changes to the Memorial Bench program. Please review the steps below to see how these changes may affect your donation and what you may wish to do next.

1. Understand the program changes

• The Memorial Bench program was put on hold in 2008.
• The Memorial Bench program was formally discontinued in 2019.
• The City will now begin decommissioning memorial benches by removing the plaques. The benches themselves will stay in place, but without the plaques.

2. Review your bench status

• The original agreement (shared with each donor at the time of donation) stated that bench donations were for a 10-year term. All former bench donations have expired. 
• The City has fulfilled its contractual obligations under these agreements.
• In May 2025, the City mailed letters to past donors to explain the changes and invite them to contact us by December 31, 2025, if they would like their plaque returned. Some donors may not have received these letters because their contact information was out of date.
• All plaques will be removed by December 31, 2025.

3. Plaque retrieval

• If we are unable to contact a past donor, removed plaques will be stored at the City Operations Centre until December 31, 2026.
• If you would like your plaque returned, contact us at 250-334-4441 ext. 7231 or email benchdonation@courtenay.ca.

4. Future donation opportunities

• If a new program is approved, past donors will be given priority to donate before applications open to others.
• Any new donations would follow updated fees and contract terms.

5. Express interest in future participation

Notify the City by December 31, 2025, if you would like your plaque returned and you are interested in donating a new memorial bench under any future program.

Contact us at phone: 250-334-4441 ext. 7231 or email: benchdonation@courtenay.ca.

6. Stay informed

For ongoing updates and more information, refer to this project page.

• Staff Report December 10, 2025 - Park Bench Donation Policy and Implementation Strategy
• Park Bench Donation Policy
• Park and Donation Bench Guidelines
• Fee Comparison of Park Bench Donation Programs in BC Local Governments
• Staff Report July 31, 2024 - Memorial Bench program options [PDF/8.9MB]
• Staff Report April 1, 2019 - Memorial program [PDF/1.5MB]