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Memorial Bench
Honor Your Loved Ones in Our Parks
A memorial bench is a unique way to honor a friend, family member, or loved one, while also enhancing your favorite space for all to enjoy. Whether commemorating a special life moment or paying tribute to someone's journey, memorial benches help you celebrate and remember.
Getting Your Personalized Bench
We’ll work with you on your memorial bench options and answer any questions to ensure the bench properly honors the memory of your loved one. Start by submitting your contact information to the "Request A Bench" form below, or reach out to our Executive Director, Sarah, at sarah@friendsofdmparks.org.
Bench Costs
$3,000 - $5,000
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Existing Bench ($3,000): Dedicate a bench already in one of our parks. We'll add a personalized engraved plaque with your message.
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New Bench ($5,000): Fund a brand-new bench to be placed in the park system, complete with a personalized engraved plaque.
Available Parks
Available Trails
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Karras Kaul Connector Trail
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Carl Voss Trail
If you have a park in mind for your bench, you can make a request. Des Moines Park and Recreation will work with you to determine a final location based on availability and park requirements.
Get Your Bench Installed In Spring or Fall
Benches are installed in the Spring and Fall at the start of the seasons. An order for your Spring installation needs to occur by the end of the preceding calendar year. A Fall order would need to occur by the end of August.
Johnston Family
John and Joellyn loved walking through the park with their beloved dog, no matter the season. Their family felt like a bench would be a lovely way to honor them in a place they treasured.
The Friends of Des Moines Parks is a nonprofit 501c3 organization with a mission to preserve, protect, improve, and promote the use of Des Moines’ parks, greenways, and recreational programs for the benefit of all neighborhoods, residents, and visitors. The Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department is not responsible for replacing benches in the event that they are stolen, damaged due to normal wear and tear, natural disaster or vandalism. Please contact your tax professional to determine if your purchase is tax-deductible.
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