Park Bench and Tree Memorials

Park Bench

The standard Park Bench is a more affordable option that can be placed in the majority of our City Parks. However, this bench style is not suitable for areas that are highly architectural, such as College Hill Park, Fairmount Park, the Riverside Park complex, or the downtown core area.

Plaza Bench

Therefore the Plaza Bench is offered as an alternative that can be used in these areas as well as most other parks.

Park Staff will assist you with selecting a suitable location. Some of the things they will be assessing are ADA accessibility, density of other benches or park amenities, surrounding topography, drainage, park architecture, and existing trees or irrigation. Utilities and utility easements can also impact site selection.

The Memorial Bench program is limited to City of Wichita Parks. Veteran’s Memorial Park honors United States Military branches. Individual honors can be obtained by purchasing a Memorial Brick. Memorial Benches are not installed within this park. Additionally, when a park has reached a desired density of park benches, that park will be closed to additional Memorial Benches.

The bronze 4” by 12” plaque is limited to 3 text lines. The name of the honored will be larger type on one line, subject to type fit. Each plaque is unique and subject to type fit, but as a guide, no more than 35 spaces per line.

Memorial Benches are limited to 1 memorial plaque.

Regretfully, plaques are not placed at Memorial Trees. Maintenance concerns and durability prevent this type of memorial in city parks.

Memorial Park Benches have green seats and backs with black frames. Plaza Memorial Benches are either brown or black. The park architecture of the desired location is the determining factor between brown or black benches. For example, the downtown core area is limited to black Plaza Benches.

Generally, as park staff work with you for site location, plaque wording approval and order, obtaining the desired bench and scheduling installation, the process will take approximately 3 – 4 months. Weather conditions, manufacturing lead times, and current work load may lengthen the process.

Although varying by species, it is recommended to plant Memorial Trees in the autumn. This gives your tree its best outlook for success. Tree replacements are not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the City Arborist.

No. Your purchase of a Memorial Bench includes maintenance by Park Staff for a period of 10 years. Maintenance includes keeping the bench in a safe functioning condition and free of graffiti. It does not include keeping the bench free of dirt, grime, or blemishes. Additionally, if a bench is damaged or vandalized to the point that it is beyond repair, it will be up to the donor to determine whether they want to purchase a replacement bench.

No. The City of Wichita Memorial Bench and Tree program is not a tax deductible contribution.