Park benches aren’t intended to last forever, and neither should a dedication, at least according to Penticton City Hall.
An amendment to the city’s parks donations policy doesn’t change how renewals of past donations will be handled but does make it clear that renewal clauses apply to all parks donations, including those made prior to the formal program, which allows residents to dedicate a bench or some other park amenity in memory of a loved one.
Coun. Tarik Sayeed objected strongly to the policy amendment, saying that a mistake was made by the city in not telling early donors that their dedications had a time limit.
“I think it is fundamentally wrong that it was our mistake and then we are asking them to pay for it,”said Sayeed.
The donation started in 1996, inspired by the city’s first recorded donation for a bench in 1995. Between 1995 and 2000, there were 34 donations, and since the program was new, there were no references to time frames. But in 2000, a brochure was developed describing the program for potential donors.
“It was clearly indicated on that brochure that a 10-year lifecycle would apply to the donated item,” said Len Robson, public works manager. When a formal policy was developed in 2012, the fees were increased and renewal clauses were introduced.
“To date, in 2016, we have received approximately 340 donations within our inventory. That includes everything from benches to tables to trees, major park features such as gazebos, playgrounds, etc,” said Robson.
It is a popular program. Robson notes that some high-profile locations, like Skaha Park, where there are five people waiting to donate an amenity or the Rose Garden, where there are 29 people on a waiting list.
“We find our amenities start to show wear in around the 10-year time frame. It is faded, it is scratched it is rusty. It is not unsafe by any stretch, but it is not as nice as it once was,” said Robson. “In around the 15-year mark, it is starting to look like it needs to be replaced.”
From those early donations, prior to the 2000 brochure, 10 people have chosen to renew, and 15 have decided not to.
“Nine of the donors, we were unable to contact,” said Robson, noting it can be a challenge to maintain contact with the donors over a long period.
“I think it is realistic that these things do have an end to their lifecycle,” said Coun. Max Picton, while Coun. Andre Martin suggested the city could create a memory wall where the dedication plaques from out of service benches could be mounted.
“It would be there long term,” said Martin. Robson agreed it was a good idea and said city staff would look into it.
With Sayeed still in opposition council voted 6-1 to support the amended policy, without extending time limits for early donors.