City of Richmond staff are investigating whether people can place more than two memorial plaques on park benches.
And, after Coun. Bill McNulty brought the anguish of some residents to the attention of city council’s parks and recreation committee last Tuesday, a moratorium has been placed on families being asked to stump up $3,000 to renew contracts on such benches and picnic tables.
Last month, the Richmond News told how three local widows were appealing to the city to relax its maximum two-plaque rule on park benches, so they could memorialize their late husbands, who were lifelong friends, on the same bench.
One of the women, Lynne Barclay – who already has a plaque on the Dyke Road bench remembering her husband, Cliff – previously told the News the men “were such good friends for so many years and it would just be a crime to separate them now.”
Last week, McNulty made a motion asking staff to re-examine a number of items related to the city’s policy on memorial tables and benches.
“There’s no reason why we can’t have more than two plaques on a bench,” McNulty told the News.
“I measured it and you can fit up to four comfortably on there and up to eight on a picnic table.
“We need to look at this from a practical and common sense point of view. Some of these benches and tables are now historical in nature and have ashes scattered close by and flowers and bouquets on them.
“We have to be sensitive to that and to the fact there are no cemeteries or memorial gardens in Richmond; this is their place to contemplate and reflect. People have told me they sit there and talk to their lost loved ones.”
McNulty has asked city staff to break down the costs for maintenance and sometimes replacement of the benches, which families are being charged $3,000 over a 10-year period.
Some of the families being asked to pay $3,000 to renew the contract believed they had the bench in perpetuity and are questioning having to pay again.
“I can’t see how this costs $3,000 for 10 years to maintain a bench. Where does that money go to?” said McNulty.
“These are memorial benches and that was their intention. The money these families put forward paid for these benches back in the day.”
Pointing to the fact city staff are only adhering to a city council-made policy, McNulty added that he’s “as much at fault as anyone” for allowing the practice to continue as it has over the years.
“I’ve also asked (staff) to look at other places in Richmond that are appropriate for memorial benches and tables, as the likes of Garry Point Park is pretty full as it is. I’m sure we have lots of beautiful spots around the city.”
In response to questions from the parks and recreation committee, Paul Brar, manager of parks programs, said payment plans are being established for renewals for those unable to pay within the six month period.
“Every attempt is made to contact donors and their families for renewals, however it is the responsibility of the donor keep their address updated,” said Brar.
“Of the 343 for up for 10-year renewal, staff have been unable to contact 75 donors and will continue trying to reach them. However, if after a six month period there has been no contact, the plaque will be removed with the space to remain vacant for one year.”
There’s a waiting list, added Brar, primarily for park benches in popular locations, such as along the Dyke Trail and Garry Point Park.
However, there are new park spaces coming online, including at Garden City Lands and the waterfront park. Brar said 32 donors have advised the city they will not be renewing.
Staff could report back to the parks and recreation committee as early as the end of February, with any decision taken still to be approved at a full city council meeting.
The News reported last month how Lynne Barclay, Margaret Galawan and Bonnie Ross asked the City of Richmond to allow their late husbands, Cliff, Ray and Tom to have plaques mounted in their memory on the bench on Dyke Road, overlooking Finn Slough and the Fraser River’s south arm.
Margaret claimed the city initially told her that “people might find it uncomfortable leaning against (three) plaques, so they don’t want too many on there. Maybe there’s a better reason that I haven’t heard of yet. The reason we were given was ridiculous.”
City of Richmond spokesperson Ted Townsend told the News last month that an option had been given to Lynne to “celebrate all three individuals on a single plaque” and still keep her one plaque with the quote about Finn Slough, which would allow her to stay within the two-plaque limit.
As for why the rule came about in the first place, Townsend said the policy is required to “ensure consistency and common look across the many memorial benches. Allowing additional plaques could also pose additional maintenance challenges.”
