RDCK Park Amenity Donation Program

Contributions to the Regional District of Central Kootenay's (RDCK) Amenity Donation Program enhances the enjoyment of regional parks and trails. Celebrate friends, family and memorable events with an inscribed plaque on a donated bench or picnic table.

Steps:

1. Consider a regional park location where you would like to donate a bench or table. 
2. Review the program guidelines and complete an application with these details.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Standard Amenities

Standard Bench  The Standard Park Bench (5 ft) with black powder coated aluminum frame with grey or walnut colored recycled plastic lumber provides a comfortable resting place for all park users.

Bayview Bench The BayView Park Bench (6 ft) with black powder coated aluminum frame with grey or walnut colored recycled plastic lumber provides a comfortable resting place for all park users.

Picnic Table The Bayview Picnic Table (6 ft) with black powder coated aluminum frame with grey colored or walnut recycled plastic lumber. A wheelchair accessible (8 ft) version is also available in certain locations.

Plaque & Inscription A 3” x 7” cast bronze plaque is centrally located on the bench or picnic table.

Installation and Location Choices
The donor willl need to  determine a regional park location in which you would like to place an amenity. Regional Parks Staff will make every attempt to accommodate a donors’ request but due to site restrictions or future park plans, may not be able to fulfill the request and an alternate location will have to be considered.

Installations are seasonal and are done as weather and ground conditions permit. There may be a waiting list for locations in some parks or trail sections.

Occasionally there may be a need to relocate a donation if there are frequent repairs or if the park area is undergoing new development. In this case, RDCK Regional Parks undertakes the relocation and any associated costs. Every attempt will be made to notify the donor of the change. The donor must keep their contact information current with RDCK Regional Parks.

Installation and Location ChoicesPlaque and Inscription
Each donation includes a 3” high x 7” wide cast bronze plaque. Donors are encouraged to choose messages that are uplifting, inspirational or promote enjoyment of the park area.

Dates indicating lifetime and wording that serves to create a memorial of a deceased person will not be permitted.

Examples of permitted wording may include, ‘Enjoy the view’, ‘A Favourite Place’, ‘Loved by All’, ‘Forever Loved’. RDCK Regional Parks reserves the right for final approval of plaque wording.

Incredible Parents & Grandparents John & Jane Smith You Live In Our Hearts

John Smith Sharing Your Love of Parks Your Family and Friends

Every Day is a Good Day Jane Smith Presented in 2021 for Everyone to Enjoy

Term
Benches and Tables will be maintained by RDCK Regional Parks for the term of the agreement.

The Donor is responsible for contacting RDCK Regional Parks prior to the end of the term if they wish to continue their donation.

If the donor wishes to continue their donation, Staff will assess the amenity to determine if renewal or replacement is required. Based on this assessment, the donor will then have the option to renew the existing donation for an additional 5-year term or replace the amenity at market cost. Additional terms cannot be prepaid.

If the donor does not contact RDCK Regional Parks, or chooses not to renew or replace the amenity, the plaque will be removed and the amenity and/or site may become available to a new donor. The plaque will be retained by RDCK Regional Parks for 2 years from time of removal.

RDCK Regional Parks will cover the cost of replacement due to damage or theft once during the ten-year term. Additional occurrences of theft or damage will be covered at the donor’s cost.

The donor must keep their contact information current with RDCK Regional Parks.

Pricing
All prices include the acquisition, installation and maintenance of your donation for the term of the agreement. Program costs are based on current development standards. Program costs are subject to annual review, or if standards are changed.

Tax Receipts
A tax receipt will be issued to the extent permitted by the Income Tax Act. All donations will receive a tax receipt via mail at the beginning of the following year in which the donation was made.

If multiple people are contributing to a single donation, then all donation funds must be collected by one donor. Tax receipts will be made out to the ‘Donor’, unless a letter is provided at the time of payment indicating names, addresses and amounts for other donors.

Other

• The donation of an amenity in no way constitutes ownership of the item by the donor, nor the land upon which it is situated, or the surrounding lands. RDCK Regional Parks retains the right to use the lands adjacent to these donated items, as it deems appropriate, up to and including the moving of the amenity to another location. Every attempt will be made to ensure the amenity is relocated as close to the original location as is feasible.

• The addition of amenities may be restricted in some parks as determined by the Regional Parks Manager, from time to time, in order to ensure a reasonable balance of amenities and open space.
• RDCK Regional Parks understands that the donated amenity may have sentimental value; however, park amenity donations are not intended to be memorials. Donations do not give the right for the scattering or interment of cremated remains nor the placement or attachment of objects or mementos on or adjacent to the amenity.
• If an amenity is damaged, destroyed or defaced, within the first ten years, to an extent that in the opinion of the Regional Parks Manager replacement is required, RDCK Regional Parks will replace it at no cost to the donor.
• RDCK Regional Parks may elect not to replace a bench that has reached the end of its term for reasons of security, safety, park reconfiguration or maintenance issues. Donors who wish to continue further terms in these cases will be offered another site at the current price.
• An amenity placed within a park or public space that predates the RDCK Park Amenity Donation Program will follow the current program guidelines for renewal and/or replacement. RDCK Regional Parks will, to its best ability, contact the original donor prior to removal or replacement of an amenity. Plaques will be retained at the RDCK Regional Parks Office for a maximum of 2 years from date of removal.

Donor Obligation
To contact RDCK Regional Parks @ 250-352-1574 or parks@rdck.bc.ca prior to the term ending to discuss continuing or ending your donation.

RDCK Regional Parks’ Obligation to the Donor
If RDCK Regional Parks has not received a request to continue the donation, RDCK Regional Parks will attempt to contact the Donor(s), via telephone and mail, giving a three months’ grace for the Donor to respond. If after three months there is still no contact RDCK Regional Parks will then offer the amenity to a new donor. RDCK Regional Parks, if possible, will remove and retain the bronze plaque up to two years after removal. After two years, the plaque will be repurposed or destroyed.

PROGRAM PROCESS

1. For information on the program please review the Program Guidelines or call RDCK Regional        Parks at (250) 352-1574.

2. Complete an application online or submit a completed application to:

• Email to: parks@rdck.bc.ca;
• Mail to: Attn: RDCK Regional Parks at Box 590, 202 Lakeside Drive, Nelson, BC V1L 5R4;
• Fax to: Attn: RDCK Regional Parks at (250) 352-9300; or
• Visit our Regional Parks Office at: Suite 102, 333 Victoria Street, Nelson. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30 pm.

Please do not submit payment with this application.

3. Regional Parks staff will contact you to discuss your donation application and proposed site.

4. Once the application has been reviewed and accepted by RDCK Regional Parks staff, you will        receive an invoice with payment information.

5. Regional Parks staff will order the amenity and obtain a plaque proof for your approval.

6. Regional Parks staff will notify you when the amenity has been installed.

7. A Tax Receipt will be issued at the beginning of the following year.

Application Form

Terms and Conditions

 

1. For benches and tables, the term of the agreement between the Donor and RDCK Regional Parks will be for ten (10) years beginning on the date of installation. At the end of the 10-year term, an additional 5-year term may be considered if the amenity is deemed to be in good condition.
2. RDCK Regional Parks will arrange for the acquisition and installation of the donated amenity and the plaque.
3. RDCK Regional Park amenities are intended to enhance the use and enjoyment of all visitors, therefore:
   • Donors are encouraged to choose plaque wording that is positive and respectful in tone.
   • Donated amenities cannot be embellished with wreaths or other items that may
     discourage public use and/or interfere with regular maintenance.
4. The donation can be made by cheque only. Please note: As a voluntary donation, invoices cannot be issued for payment.
5. Each donor will receive an official tax receipt for: a new donation, an adoption of an existing amenity, a donation renewal and replacement of an amenity. A tax receipt will not be issued for the replacement of a plaque only.
6. The donated amenity is the property of RDCK Regional Parks. RDCK Regional Parks will maintain the donated amenity for the term. RDCK Regional Parks may, in its sole discretion, relocate the amenity for reasons such as safety, maintenance or park redevelopment. RDCK Regional Parks will use reasonable efforts to notify the donor of significant changes.
7. It is the responsibility of the donor to contact RDCK Regional Parks before the end of the current term. Donors have the option to:
   
   • Renew the donation: The renewal donation amount provides an additional 5-year
     period of maintenance and will reflect the current maintenance costs at the time of
     renewal. The donor may choose to add a new plaque at the current price.
   • Replace the amenity: The replacement of an amenity includes the cost to purchase a new amenity, at the market price, and install the original plaque, with a 10-year term.
8. If the donor does not contact RDCK Regional Parks, or chooses not to renew or replace the amenity, the plaque will be removed and the amenity and/or site may become available to a new donor. The plaque will be retained by RDCK Regional Parks for 2 years from time of removal.