The Parks and Recreation Department has received an increase in requests for the installation of trees and benches in our parks, dedicated to a family member or a member of the community. Subsequently City staff, Commissioners, and Councilmembers became aware that it would be beneficial to the City and our residents to adopt a policy to regulate and manage these requests. Adopting this policy will ensure the Parks and Recreation Department has the tools needed to provide the best service to the community as donation requests are received.

In January 2021, Councilmember Ken Broadway requested that a "two by two by two" committee be formed with the task of creating a tree and bench donation program. This committee consisted of two Councilmembers, two Parks, Recreation and Arts Commissioners, and two members from the Community Recognition Committee. The committee researched other municipalities in the area that had similar programs and used key components from these existing programs to build the framework for the City of Rocklin’s Tree and Bench Donation Policy. The committee also considered the needs of Rocklin residents and our parks during the process.

All bench donations will include a standard City of Rocklin park bench along with a plaque on the ground. The style, language and characters on the plaque will be restricted by the regulations highlighted in the attached policy (Exhibit A). The policy designates responsibility to the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (PRAC) for review and approval of all tree and bench donations to the City. It also identifies the appeal process for applicants if their application was rejected during the approval process.

The policy will be accompanied by maps of each park designating the available locations that donated benches will be permitted for installation. City staff are currently working with the GIS department to create these maps with completion estimated by February 2022. Tree donation placement and availability will be determined by the Parks Department’s tree replacement list. This portion of the program will assist the department in replacing trees that were removed due to storm damage or poor condition.

Parks and Recreation Staff have evaluated the total cost for the benches, plaques, and trees, including labor and have determined that the cost for a bench donation will be $2,500 and the cost for a tree donation will be $300.