Bench Dedication Catalog

UPDATED March 2022



THE LAKES PARK BENCH DEDICATION PROGRAM

The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation (LPEF) has a program to replace benches
throughout the park. The purpose of this project is three-fold:

1. Replace benches that are unsafe or uncomfortable
2. Raise funds for continuing improvements to the Park
3. Introduce new benches into more locations in the Park

BENCH DEDICATION POLICY FACTS ABOUT BENCH PLACEMENT AND REPLACEMENT

• EXISTING DEDICATIONS – Some very old benches targeted for replacement
  had been previously dedicated. These were white, ornate, consumer-grade
  benches, not intended for heavy use and weather exposure in a public park. The
  County judged them unsafe and they were removed. LPEF has purchased
  engraved bricks to replace the previous dedications. These spots are now
  available to donors.

• BLACK IRON BENCHES – Seen mostly around the train station, these benches become much too hot for park patrons to sit on, so they will be replaced.

DEDICATION STONES

In order to preserve the integrity of the bench material, dedications will not be attached to the bench. Dedications are engraved on a 12” x 12” red paving stone. Dedications may consist of 1 to 8 lines of up to 18 characters each (spaces and punctuation count as characters).

DEDICATION LANGUAGE

Lee County prefers that we no longer engrave “memorial language”, so use words like
“Dedicated to…” or “In honor of…” instead. The County and the Foundation reserve the
right to reject any engraving request either organization deems inappropriate.

Bench Dedication Form

DONATIONS:

We accept checks and credit card payments. As of August 6th, 2019, donations for the
various types/sizes are:

New 4-ft bench: $3,000
New 6-ft bench: $3,500

Additional Policy and Rules:

A. This policy is designed to enable parks users to support Lee County’s LAKES

REGIONAL PARK through a tax-deductible contribution. Contributions will be

acknowledged by the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation (“LPEF”) via a letter

detailing the donation, which does not entitle the donor to ownership of the

donated element.

B. Only bench donations are covered by this policy.

C. The donation must be processed before the commencement of any work. The

current donation levels are stated herein. These amounts subject to adjustments

periodically.

D. A donation period will last 10 years. Within this time, LPEF will replace a park

bench donation and/or plaque up to one time within one year of the original

installation if deemed necessary by LPEF and/or Lee County Parks &

Recreation (“Parks & Rec”). Should more than one replacement be required, it is

up to the donor to replace it. If the donor declines to replace it, a new donor will

be sought. Dedication stones for benches with expired donation periods or

benches that have been replaced by a new donor will be re-installed at a

location in the park selected by Lee County Parks & Recreation.

E. After 10 years, the donated bench will be available for renewal for the cost of a

new donation, with the first right of refusal given to the original donor. If the

original donor opts not to renew, the bench may be removed or rededicated at

any time.

F. Parks & Rec retains the right to relocate any donated element and/or plaque at

any time. If a bench needs to be relocated, Parks & Rec will contact the donor to

discuss alternative locations. Parks & Rec will make the final determination.

G. Parks & Rec, in collaboration with the donor, will determine the bench location.

H. Dedications may consist of 1 to 8 lines of up to 18 characters each (spaces and

punctuation count as characters). Text is subject to the approval of both LPEF and Parks & Rec.

Available Benches