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Murrieta proposes 'Roots and Remembrance' bench and tree tributes; costs largely applicant‑borne
Summary
Staff introduced a memorial program combining honor trees and benches; applicants pay most costs (example: 15‑gallon tree $150 including installation; bench installation $1,612 excludes bench purchase/engraving), and locations and bench styles will be preapproved to limit maintenance impacts. Commissioners offered edits to the flyer and packaging.
Staff presented a new 'Roots and Remembrance' program that lets residents fund and place commemorative trees and benches in city parks and public spaces, subject to parks maintenance approval and installation standards.
Roseanne and other staff outlined program components: a list of approved tree species and preapproved installation sites where irrigation already exists, a medium‑tan composite bench style available in one‑, two‑ and four‑seat sizes, and an online application and landing page to streamline requests. Staff said the fiscal impact to the city is limited—installation labor and concrete pad work (prevailing wage) are charged to the city at about $1,612 per bench installation, but the bench unit, engraving and delivery are the applicant’s responsibility; staff estimated bench prices can range from about $1,600 up to $3,000 depending on size and engraving.
For trees, staff noted a 15‑gallon tree option advertised at $150 that includes purchase and installation; the parks maintenance supervisor will select stock to ensure plant health and irrigation compatibility. Commissioners asked staff to make the flyer clearer about what is included in each price line, keep bench style consistent, limit nonstandard bench designs, and confirm that installations will be in visible, highly maintained locations to reduce vandalism and homeless‑use concerns.
Staff agreed to refine the flyer, provide clearer pricing language and add the materials to the parks website with an online application. Final approvals and installations will be coordinated through parks maintenance to manage workload and timing.
