Park Donation Opportunities
Honor a loved one or commemorate a special milestone by making a lasting impact on Muskegon’s parks. We offer several donation options, including benches, trees, pavers, plaques, and other park enhancements.
Before donating, please review our Donation Policy (approved October 2022) for details on donation terms, timelines, and available locations.
Bench Donations
Bench donations are one of our most popular options. Benches are installed annually from spring through fall, with a June 30 deadline to apply for that year’s installation. Below is the step-by-step process:
-
Submit the Park Donation Form – Requests are reviewed on a first-come basis. Because installation capacity is limited each year, early applications are encouraged.
-
Staff Review – We’ll review your inquiry, send you the policy, and confirm potential locations.
-
Location Confirmation – Approved locations are added to our annual list (January–June 30).
-
Payment & Order – Donors receive a Letter of Memorandum and submit a down payment (50% of the cost of the donation).
-
Installation – Benches are installed within 6 months of the Memorandum and deposit (weather permitting).
-
Completion Notification – Donors receive a photo of the completed installation via email and pay the donation balance.
If your bench request is not approved, you must reapply the following year, as we do not keep a running donor list.
Donation Form
-
The cost of a memorial donation varies annually based on production and installation costs. The Parks and Recreation Director will provide an exact price at the time of your request. Additionally, bench donations approved for locations in the Beachwood/Bluffton neighborhood will be charged double the actual cost, with the additional proceeds used to support amenities in underserved areas of the city.
Current Estimated Costs Include:
- Bench: $1,500 ($3,000 in Beachwood/Bluffton neighborhood)
- Tree: $1,000
- Paver/Plaque: TBD
To get a quote for the current year, please contact [email protected]
-
Memorial benches have a 25-year lifespan. The City provides all reasonable maintenance during that time. Damage caused by acts of God (storms, flooding, falling trees, etc.) is not covered; in those cases, the donor may choose to pay for repair or replacement. At the end of 25 years, donors will have the option to renew their bench.
Memorial trees are maintained by the City for the first 3 years after planting, which includes watering, basic care, and replacement if the tree fails during that period.
Memorial pavers and plaques are handled on an as-needed basis, and pricing for those items is TBD.
