Amenity Donation Program

The Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department amenity donation guidelines allow for several types of donations. We encourage citizens to contact the department to discuss ideas for locations.  However, final memorial locations will be dependent on the needs of the department and planning processes already underway.

Memorials will be accepted in the following categories:

Memorial Tree Donations

Living memorial donations will be accepted in the form of tree plantings in city parks.

Bench and Other Park Amenity Donations

Bench donations will be considered within the Department park system.

General Memorial Donations

Donations for general park and recreation purposes, project development and programs are accepted and encouraged.

Statues, Fountains, Plazas, Gardens, etc.

Donations of statues, fountains, plazas, gardens, etc. may be accepted under specific circumstances. Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will determine placement of all such memorials.

Naming of a park as a memorial may be submitted to the Director of Parks and Recreation Department (Please refer to the Parks and Recreation Department Facilities Naming Policy).

Amenity donation opportunities are outlined in detail below.

The Parks and Recreation Department will accept trees donated by the public for gifts and memorials to be planted in appropriate locations in the parks for a fee. The following guidelines will apply:

• Tree species must be approved by Parks and Recreation Department in advance.     
• Tree caliper must be at least 2" for deciduous trees.
• Tree height must be at least 5' for evergreens.
  • Plaques will be included as part of the memorial tree donation program with design placement and language to be approved in advance by Parks and Recreation Department.  The memorial plaque will be provided and paid for by the donor.
  • In instances where trees do not survive, tree replacements will be provided if park Department staff planted the tree. Replacement trees may or may not be of the same variety as that of the original donation.
  • The Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will consider special park location requests with the final location to be determined by the Department.
  • Requests may be made at any time of the year and will be considered for the following spring or fall planting.
  • Ashes of deceased loved ones may be planted with the tree at the time of planting.

Tree Planting Process:

Trees can be purchased from a local tree nursery or business as long as they meet size qualifications and quality as determined by Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department. Donors must pay the business for the cost of the tree and delivery cost to the Public Works Facility.  A planting and maintenance fee of $75 will be charged by Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department.

Tree Replacement/Future Plantings Program:

If a donor wishes to remember a loved one by replacing a tree or shrub that did not survive in the park system or by assisting the Department with future plantings at locations determined by the park Department, they are encouraged to make a donation to the tree replacement/future plantings program through the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department. These donations will be used, on an as needed basis, to replace and plant trees enhancing the beauty of our park system and our city. A minimum donation amount of $125 will be accepted for this purpose.

The program of donating benches and other park amenities, such as picnic tables, give citizens the opportunity to assist the Parks and Recreation Department  in maintaining, replacing or adding to park amenitiesn as well as the opportunity to recognize someone or thing through installation/renovation of a park amenity and placement of a recognition plaque in a park.

 The following guidelines will apply:

• Although suggestions will be considered for a particular location, placement of park amenities in the park system must meet the plan and requirements of the particular park and the Department. Final decisions as to location will be determined by the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department.
• Bemidj iParks and Recreation staff will identify existing benches and other site furniture which would be desirable to replace with a memorial bench or other amenity.

Donors will be encouraged to provide replacement amenities at these locations.

• Gift contributions for benches and other amenities will be of the amount listed in the Parks and Recreation fee schedule which is available by contacting the Parks Department. The memorial fee will include the bench, picnic table or other amenity, installation, a ten year maintenance plan and administrative costs of the program.
• Park amenities will be accepted on the basis that they will be maintained for ten years in their original location, or in an area near their original location. After 10 years, the amenity may be removed or relocated pending redevelopment of the park site.
• Small plaques may be included on the bench with design, placement and language to be approved by the park Department.
• All park amenities will be constructed of materials selected by the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department to meet the design and maintenance considerations of the department.

Donation Process

Please submit an application to Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department outlining your donating request including ideas as to location. We encourage donors to consider placement of park amenities where an existing bench/amenity is scheduled to be replaced. Staff will respond to your application with information as to available donation opportunities in your desired location or alternate locations.

For all memorial donations, staff will inform the donor of the scheduled planting or installation time and location in order to offer an opportunity for the donor to be present during the planting or installation. Families and friends are welcome to hold a dedication ceremony for the person being memorialized. Ashes of deceased loved ones may be planted with the tree at the time of planting. 

We will consider the request in conjunction with park construction and renovation plans. If the donation request falls within a current park site concept plan process, approval of the Parks and

Trails Commissioner may be necessary.  Due to the timing of park planning processes and our annual review of park amenity requests, the total process for installation may take six months or more.

Donations to Amenity Donation Program will be recognized with a letter of appreciation from the Parks and Recreation Board of Park Commissioners.

General Donations

General donations gifted to the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will be acknowledged by a letter from the Director. Funds generated by these donations will be used to best meet current needs of the department as determined by the Director.

From time to time, the department may be accepting donations for a specific project to benefit the Department. A list of opportunities for project-specific donations will be maintained and provided to those who express interest.

Memorial Statues, Fountains, Plazas, Gardens etc.

Memorial Donations which are large in scale are generally not encouraged. To the extent that projects of this nature are consistent with park planning processes, they may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Donors may contact the department to discuss their idea.

Park Naming

Opportunities exist for naming of park sites within the park system.  Naming of a park as a memorial may be submitted to the Director of Bemidji Parks & Recreation Department

The following is the fee schedule for memorial donations to the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department.  Specific information as to memorial donation opportunities can be found in the Memorial Donation Policy.

Memorial Tree Donations

Tree purchased from a local nursery or business                    cost charged by business for purchase and delivery to Park Operations department

Administrative fee (covers planting and maintenance)            $75

Tree Replacement/Future Plantings Fund                               $250 minimum donation

Memorial Bench Donations

Bench cost (varies based on site needs and business chosen for purchase)    $500-1000

Please contact the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department for other donation considerations.