Cary Park District Adopt-a-Bench or Tree Program
Looking for a meaningful way to honor someone special, celebrate a milestone, or give back to the community?
The Cary Park District’s Adopt-a-Bench or Tree Program offers individuals, families, businesses, and organizations the opportunity to leave a lasting mark in our parks and open spaces.
Whether you’re memorializing a loved one or showing your community pride, your contribution helps enhance and maintain the spaces that bring people together every day.
How It Works
Participants can choose from several options:
- Install a new bench with a personalized plaque
- Add a plaque to an existing bench
- Adopt a tree planted within our park system
A Meaningful, Modern Touch
- Bench plaques now include a QR code, allowing you to share a story, photos, and memories of the person or message being honored
- Tree adoptions include a bronze leaf displayed on our new Recognition Wall at the Community Center
Program Highlights
- 10-year adoption term
- Park District handles installation and maintenance
- Personalized recognition options
- Native tree plantings that support our local environment
Make Your Impact
Your adoption helps support the care, improvement, and long-term sustainability of our parks.
Guidelines
The following items are considered specific guidelines associated with this policy and shall be assigned to corresponding procedures as developed:
- The Executive Director, or assigned delegate, shall administer the Adopt-a-Bench or Tree Program to provide opportunities for individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to adopt benches or trees within Park District properties.
- A program participation agreement for each project will record the participant information, location where the bench or tree will be installed, and the associated program details. The agreement will outline the responsibilities between the participant and the Park District.
- The Executive Director, or assigned delegate, shall develop and maintain a schedule of fees associated with the Adopt-a-Bench or Tree Program, which may include installation, materials, administrative costs, and maintenance.
- All benches and trees installed through the program become the property and responsibility of the Park District.
- The Executive Director, or assigned delegate, will determine the appropriate locations for program installation and recognition elements within Park District properties.
- All trees installed through the Adopt-a-Bench or Tree Program shall be native species selected and approved by the Park District. Bench installations shall be limited to Park District approved bench styles, materials, and specifications to ensure consistency, durability, and compatibility with existing park amenities.
- For program installations that include text provided by the participant, the Park District reserves the right to reject any text, font type, or font size it deems inappropriate and may set limits on the length or amount of text desired by the individual.
- The Park District reserves the right to relocate elements, including benches, trees, or associated recognition plaques, if necessary, due to park improvements, facility renovations, operational needs, or other Park District considerations.
- The Adopt-a-Bench or Tree Program represents the sole program for bench and tree recognition within Park District parks and facilities.
If you have questions, reach out anytime to Courtney Baker at cbaker@carypark.com or (847) 875-1764.
Discover available bench and tree options by clicking Participate Now below: