Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on April 2, 2026 at 2:07 pm

Memorial/Honorary Tree Program

Remember a loved one or honor someone special by planting a tree in one of Bloomington's city parks.

Cost and Order Information

  • Memorial tree and plaque: $1,800. Includes one tree, engraved 16" x 16" limestone plaque installed flush with ground level near the base of the tree, and maintenance of the tree after planting.
  • Plaque or tree: $700. Includes one plaque on an existing tree or planting a new tree without a plaque.
  • Honorary tree: $300. Includes one tree planted in a restoration area of choice. Photo of tree and location provided after planting.
  • Donors may choose potential tree planting sites, but exact planting locations within parks are determined by the urban forester. 
  • Orders received between Oct. 1 and April 30 will be scheduled for spring planting, pending weather conditions. Orders received between May 1 and Sept. 30 will be scheduled for fall planting.
  • Plaque personalization is limited to three lines, with 25 characters per line (spaces between words count as characters).

The Parks and Recreation Department provides maintenance for the lifetime of the tree and will replace trees if they die or are damaged within 15 years of planting. Plaques are warranted for five years against theft or damages. All plaques have a date of manufacture in the lower right hand corner.

In the event of future park development, memorial/honorary trees may be relocated or replanted. Parks and Recreation reserves the right to relocate trees within a park or to another city park.

Due to weather considerations and seasonal planting schedules, it is not possible to schedule ceremonies at the time of tree planting or plaque setting.

Installation of personal plaques, markers, etc. at the planting sites of honorary/memorial trees is not permitted. Small, unobtrusive decorations are permitted as long as they do not become unsightly, unkempt, or present an obstacle to grounds maintenance. The City of Bloomington and its staff are not responsible for maintaining decorations, or for decorations that are vandalized, damaged, removed, or stolen.

Memorial/Honorary Bench Program

The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department's Memorial/Honorary Bench Program provides an opportunity to honor or memorialize a loved one by placing a bench in or along a beautiful City of Bloomington park or trail.

Cost and Order Information

  • All benches are a specific type and style, purchased directly by the Department. Benches are constructed of slatted steel, a material that has proven to be attractive, durable, and resistant to vandalism.
  • The cost for one memorial/honorary bench is $2,800. This includes the bench and plaque, shipping, labor, and installation, as well as a concrete bench pad.
  • A 2" x 10" personalized plaque is mounted to the back of the bench. The donor provides the text for the plaque to the Department, and the bench manufacturer provides a final proof of the plaque for the donor's review and approval.
  • Landscaping around the memorial/honorary bench is not provided. No landscaping or plantings may be installed without prior written approval of the Department. Unauthorized landscaping or planting of any kind may be removed by the Department without notice to or approval from the donor.
  • Once the personalized plaque is approved by the donor, and the donor has made payment for the bench in full to the Department, the Department will place the bench order. Production time is normally six to eight weeks.

The Department will make every effort to honor the donor's choice of location for the bench; however, final approval regarding location shall be at the discretion of the Department. Benches are installed year 'round by Department staff, on a schedule based on availability of labor and material, weather conditions, condition of park grounds, and overall Department priorities.

In the event the bench is vandalized, made unusable, or destroyed by any other unanticipated act or event, the Department will assume no responsibility for replacement of the bench, plaque, or any related appurtenances.