If you once dedicated a park bench to a loved one or lost friend and haven’t updated your contact information, the City of Richmond wants to hear from you! 

Introduced in 1991, the City’s Tree, Bench and Picnic Table Dedication Program provides a way to recognize friends and family members, loved ones, or important events through plaques on park benches, picnic tables or the planting of trees in select parks or along trails.

While the program was immediately popular, the memories associated with some of those plaques has faded over time so the City needs to update contact information. 

There are currently 114 registrants whose contact information is no longer current, so the City is hoping they will come forward within the next 12 months to acknowledge interest in maintaining the dedication plaque. If not, opportunities will be presented to new dedicators wanting to enter the program. There are currently over 100 individuals on the waitlist.

Staff will soon begin to replace the 114 bronze plaques lacking updated information with temporary plaques requesting residents to contact the City. If an update is received within 12 months and they wish to retain the plaque, it will be returned to its original location. If not, the location will be offered to someone on the waitlist. The City will archive all original bronze dedication plaques for six years in the event someone comes forward to claim it. 

To update contact information for the Park Dedication Program, call 604-247-4453 or email to parksprograms@richmond.ca. Information about the program is available at https://www.richmond.ca/parks-recreation/parks/programs/dedicate.htm.