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Dayton Parks Commission discusses memorial-bench policy, location map and furniture standards
Summary
Staff presented a draft memorial bench and donations policy and asked the commission for guidance on bench styles, GIS mapping of available locations, costing and an approval process; commissioners asked staff to provide pictures and cost comparisons for next meeting.
Dayton Parks Commission members on Sept. 3 reviewed a draft memorial-bench and site-furniture policy and discussed whether to standardize bench styles across city parks or allow variation to suit individual park character.
Parks Department staff (unnamed, Speaker 6) described two benches previously installed at Rivers Bend Park and said the earlier donor paid roughly $2,000 for both installations; staff estimated the type of metal memorial bench they favor costs about $1,400–$1,500 each based on past purchases. Staff asked the commission whether the city should offer a single bench style or allow variations tied to park type (passive versus active), and suggested creating a GIS map that shows available park locations and recommended bench styles and playground equipment already present.
Commissioners discussed a tiered approach to donor budgets and non-bench donation options. Speaker 1 raised whether shorter-term or rental-style donor options (similar to the EDA planter program) might be an alternative for donors with modest budgets; staff noted the EDA planter plaque is $200 per year and the EDA purchased the planters initially. Commissioner (unnamed, Speaker 4) asked about an approval process to ensure signage and bench choices fit park aesthetics; staff said applications would come through the parks office for location approval and installation would be handled by Parks staff.
The commission asked staff to gather photographs and concrete product options for review at the next meeting, and to return with cost comparisons and suggested standards. There was no vote; staff will compile candidate bench styles, sample vendor catalogs and a proposed map of available locations for the commission to review.
