Commemorative Program

Purpose

• The Park Amenities Commemorative Program provides opportunities for families and friends to donate a park amenity with a plaque within the Town of Lincoln’s  parks and open spaces

Statement

• Lincoln believes in providing opportunities to all applicants who wish to observe, acknowledge, or remember a significant historical event, occasion, or individual and to beautify a public space by purchasing a park amenity commemorative product

Scope

Commemorative products include:

• Boardwalk Plaque
• Site Furnishing (bench or picnic table)
• Tree

Administration

• The administrative component entails coordination, record keeping, and financial management by the Community Services department

Cost

• The Park Amenities Commemorative Program is a self-funded cost recovery program including installation and maintenance
• Amenity fees will reflect market value pricing inclusive of HST, installation and shipping and donors will be issued a receipt for their gift for tax purposes

Donation Requirements

• Commemorative donations must meet the Town’s departmental standards both in specification and design to contribute to the aesthetic and enjoyment of public spaces
• All commemorative products must meet AODA guidelines when applicable and no donations may interfere with the accessibility, maintenance or use of the designated public space
• All commemorative products will become the property of the Town immediately upon their placement on municipal lands
• The Town reserves the right to determine and limit the number of locations for commemorative products and a wait list may be required and maintained to control and balance inventory

Maintenance

• Both the commemorative donation and any affixed plaques will be maintained to the Town’s standards for the lifecycle of the amenity (e.g. typically 10 to 15 years)
• They will be removed when repair is no longer feasible (as determine by the Town) due to damage and deterioration from the natural elements or otherwise
• The plaque will be given to the donor (or alternate contact if the donor cannot be located) when the amenity is removed at the end of its lifecycle
•  In the event that the donor or the alternate contact cannot be located, the plaque will be stored at a Town facility for a period of three years, after which it will be re-purposed or destroyed

Timing

• Requests will be accepted year round and residents will have the option of submitting requests through an online form
• Amenities will be installed within a reasonable timeframe after the order for the amenity has been placed and depending on the time of year and seasonal weather conditions (approx. 2-4 months)
• The installation of the amenity will typically occur between May and October due to limitations and or constraints with weather
• The installation schedule is dependant on many factors so the Town cannot provide a specific installation date but will make reasonable efforts to install the amenity within the requested timeline and ensure ongoing communications with the donor to set and appropriately manage expectations
• The donor agreement will remain null and void until both the Town representative and the donor sign the agreement and all fees have been paid in full
• It is the commemorative donor’s responsibility to update the Town with respect to any changes to the personal contact information or alternate contact

Location

• The placement of the commemorative product will be in consultation with the donor and Town staff

Plaque/Inscription

• All commemorative products accompanied by a plaque or inscription shall be consistent in size, shape, wording and materials
• All wording will be approved by the Town in advance of purchase
• The Town reserves the right to refuse any application that does not keep with the dignity or decorum of the public space

Repair/Replacement

• In the event of vandalism, the Town will make reasonable efforts to restore the amenity or the plaque back to its original state but will not replace either item
• Live commemorative products (e.g. trees) will be warrantied for two years from the planting date, with no extra charge to the donor
• Trees will be selected from an approved list

Relocation

• The Town reserves the right to relocate a commemorative product in the eventuality that such a move is necessary (e.g. recurrent vandalism, the location is scheduled for redevelopment or servicing upgrades, etc)

Ceremony

• Should donors wish to host a commemorative ceremony or unveiling, all arrangements must be made with Community Services department
• Such costs will be the responsibility of the donor
• The placement of any mementos (e.g. wreaths, flowers, vases, pictures, etc.) near the commemorative product are not permitted

Exceptions

• Requests that do not fit within the scope of these guidelines may be considered by Community Services Department staff if the request is considered beneficial to the Town as a whole