Memorial Bench
Give Someone the Ultimate Gift
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.
Make it Yours
Each unique bench can be purchased for $6,000.
Color
Your bench will be Dark Gray. Some benches may be a different style to match existing conditions of a particular park that is desired.
Plaque
Your bench will include one engraved plaque of up to 80 characters. All engraving must be approved by the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department.
Location
You can request a certain location, however, Parks and Rec Department will determine the final location. Parks which cannot accommodate a memorial bench: Greenwood, Gray's Lake, Ashby, Sculpture Garden
Orders & Install
Benches are installed in the Spring and Fall.
A donation/order for a Spring installation would need to occur in the preceding calendar year (10 weeks) and a Fall donation/order would need to occur by end of August (10 weeks).
Purchasing a Bench
If you would like to purchase a bench in full, please fill out the Purchase a Bench form below to send us your request. A team member from the Friends of Des Moines Parks will be in touch with further details.
If you are part of a group making payments towards a bench, please click on the "Make a Payment" button to make your donation.
Please reach out to our Executive Director, Sarah, if you have any questions.
Adopt a Bench
Des Moines has some existing benches that can be adopted for $3,000. These benches cannot be moved, but can be personalized with a plaque.
Location of adoptable benches include:
Riverview Park (3 benches available)
Brook Run Park (2 available)
Carl Voss Trail (1 bench available)
Cohen Park (2 available this summer)
Chesterfield Park (6 available)
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.
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.