The Town’s Community Dedications and Memorials Program is designed to provide an opportunity for residents and community groups to dedicate an existing bench in recognition or memory of someone special. This service extends to the Children’s Memorial Gazebo, where parents can arrange to have a plaque affixed to the gazebo in memory of their child that has passed.
NOTE: Tree and bench dedications are not permitted at municipal cemeteries.
In all cases, the Town shall have final approval of all aspects of the Dedication and Memorial program (ie. location, availability, timing).
Details of these programs offered by the Town are provided in the sections below.
For further inquiries, contact the Infrastructure Services Department at 705-687-9424 or parks-trails@gravenhurst.ca
Overview of the Process
Once you have reviewed the program guidelines and decide to proceed with a memorial or dedication, please complete and submit the Application Form online or in person to the Municipal Office.
- Bench Dedication: Donor will be contacted by staff to confirm availability of bench locations. The applicant will be asked to provide payment by cash, cheque, credit card or debit card. Once payment is received, plaque wording will be confirmed with donor, then ordered and installed by the Town.
- Tree Dedication: Program currently in abeyance.
- Children’s Memorial Gazebo: The applicant will be asked to provide payment by cash, cheque, credit card or debit card. Once payment is received, plaque will be ordered and installed by the Town.
Upon completion of installation, donor will be notified. The Town does not guarantee the timing of installation of dedication plaques
Click here for more information on Cemeteries and Burials.
| Bench Memorial Program |
| Bench dedications are specific to existing benches placed in designated public spaces throughout the community. The Town’s bench dedication program does not accept applications for placement of new benches. Where applications are received and approved by the Town, a recognition plaque will be installed on the bench.
All benches are commercial grade, 1.83m (6 ft) in length and are constructed of durable Pau Lope wood with black metal legs and arm rests. Plaque
FeeThe standard fee for a bench dedication is $500 for a 10-year period. Fee includes preparation and installation of plaque and ongoing maintenance. The applicant is to acknowledge that if a dedicated bench is deemed in a state of disrepair beyond the 10-maintenance period, the Town will, at its full discretion, decommission said bench. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to contact the Town prior to the conclusion of the 10-year maintenance period to reapply for a bench dedication |
| Children's Memorial Gazebo |
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The Children’s Memorial Gazebo is intended to be a place where parents can honour and remember a child who has passed away. Others may make a donation on behalf of the parents of the child, as long as one or both parents are still living. The Children’s Memorial Gazebo is located just off Peninsula Trail at Muskoka Wharf on a secluded point overlooking Lake Muskoka. The memorial plaque is mounted on the rafters of the gazebo. Plaque
FeeThe minimum donation for a plaque on the Children’s Memorial Gazebo is $15.00. Additional funds donated assist with ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the Memorial Gazebo structure. |
| Tree Memorial Program |
| Note to potential applicants
The Town of Gravenhurst has temporarily suspended its Tree Dedication Program for the 2022 and 2023 season. The Town has placed this program in abeyance until such time the Town’s Urban Forestry and Management Plan is complete. The Town’s Urban Forestry and Management Plan is intended to bring forth recommendations specific to reforestation or forestation of public spaces in the Town. This would include recommended locations and species of trees based on site conditions and soil type. The Urban Forestry Management Plan, as prepared by the University of Toronto, is schedule for 2023 unveiling. |
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