Contact(s)
Bench and Tree Donation Program is accepting applications for the 2021 season. If you would like to have your application considered for the 2021 year, please mail your filled out application to:
City of Orillia
Bench and Tree Donation Program
Suite 300, 50 Andrew Street South
Orillia, Ontario L3V 7T5
The Bench and Tree Donation Program is designed to increase public enjoyment and participation in Orillia's beautiful parks. Benches and trees are ideal gifts for your favourite park and a great way to recognize someone or a group. Best of all, your donation helps support city parks. Bench and Tree donations are tax deductible; an official receipt will be issued by the City of Orillia.
Couchiching Beach Park and Tudhope Park can no longer accept applications for benches at this time, and we encourage the public to please apply to place a bench in one of our many other parks in the City of Orillia. Standard Bench donations are $700.
Planting times are in the spring and again the fall. Requests for a spring planting must be received by March 1st and by August 1st for a fall planting. Once you have decided to proceed, please fill out an application. Once your application is received, it will be placed on a donation list for review. Once your application is approved, you will be contacted to provide payment. Once payment is received, a site visit will be scheduled to discuss the species and location opportunities. Please note that there are limited spots left in Couchiching Beach Park. The City plants several different types of trees and varieties that are considered appropriate for various locations in our parks. Suitable tree types are dependent on the specific location. Our City Arborist will help you select a tree that suits a desired location. Special Order Tree Donations will be determined at the time of order. The tree may be selected from a list of approved species. Standard Tree donations begin at $450.
For donation inquiries or any other information email the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department or call 705-329-7249.
Benches
You can donate an existing or new park bench. Existing benches are available and, in some instances, new locations may be available. In either case, a donor recognition plaque will be installed on the bench. Orillia offers two different benches:
- Orillia Bench - This bench is available widely throughout the park system. Donation: $700
- Ironsites Bench - This bench is available widely throughout the park system. Donation $1400
Once you have decided to proceed with a bench donation:
- Fill out an application and submit to the City of Orillia Bench and Tree Donation Program (see address above).
- Once the application is received, it will be reviewed and upon approval, we will contact you to arrange payment. You will be asked to provide payment by cash, cheque or debit card (credit card is not accepted).
- Once payment has been received, you will be called to arrange for an on-site meeting with Park staff.
Trees
Trees are planted in the spring and fall. Requests for spring planting must be received by March 1; requests for fall plantings must be received by August 1. The tree species and varieties are selected based on the park and its location. The City Arborist will help select a tree that suits a desired location. The standard donation for a tree is $450.
Once you have decided to proceed with a tree donation:
- Fill out an application and submit to the City of Orillia Bench and Tree Donation Program (see address above).
- When your name is next on the list, your application will be reviewed.
- Once the application is approved, we will contact you to arrange payment. You will be asked to provide payment by cash, cheque or debit card (credit card is not accepted).
- Once payment has been received, you will be called to arrange for an on-site meeting to discuss the exact location and the type (species) of tree with the City Arborist.
