Honor Someone Special

Park Tree and Bench Donations
Donating a tree or park bench to a favorite park or golf course is a great way to honor the memory of a relative or friend or as a thoughtful alternative to a traditional gift in celebration of a birthday, wedding, anniversary, retirement or other special event.
 
Your tax deductible donation will cover the cost of the tree or bench and its installation as well as a contribution to Fairfax County’s parks. You or the person you designate will receive a commemorative certificate, and Park Authority staff will install a recognition plaque on a donated bench. (Plaques are not permitted for trees or other living landscape elements.)
 
Because of the unique character of Green Spring Gardens and Huntley Meadows Park, donations to these parks are coordinated separately. Please contact the park managers for information.
 
Park Trees
You may choose any park or golf course with planting availability for your tree donation. The park manager will work with you in selecting a native tree species and location for planting. Your tree will be approximately 1-1/2”-2-1/2” in diameter and 6’-8’ tall depending on species.

Donations will be accepted throughout the year. However, to assure successful rooting, trees will be planted only twice per year - spring and fall.

The cost of a tree donation is $1,000. This includes planting by a commercial nursery and regular watering during the first season of growth. If a larger tree is preferred and acceptable to the park manager, the cost may be higher.

You may also choose to adopt an existing tree whose location or appearance is meaningful to the honoree. The donation for a tree adoption is $500.

Within a period of three years following the donation, the Park Authority will replace the tree if staff determines that it has died or been severely damaged.

Park Benches
You may donate a new bench or adopt an existing bench. Whether new or existing, Park Authority staff will install a donor recognition plaque on the bench.

You may choose any park or golf course for a bench adoption but a new bench may only be installed in a park where the manager has identified a need. Some parks and golf courses use different bench styles in keeping with their functions and landscaping. The park manager will work with you in selecting an appropriate bench style and location in the park.

Bench recognition plaques will be up to 4” x 10” with ½” lettering. Wording is subject to approval by the Park Authority.

Specialty Parks 1 and Golf Courses
(wood bench)
Other Parks 2
(steel bench)

New Bench

$1,200

$2,000

Adopted Bench

$600

$1,000

1 Specialty Parks typically include nature centers, historic sites, Lake Accotink, Burke Lake, Lake Fairfax, Riverbend and Frying Pan Farm Parks.
2 Other Parks typically include neighborhood, urban, community, district and stream valley parks, and countywide parks except those identified above as Specialty Parks.

If a non-standard bench style is preferred and acceptable to the park manager, the cost may be higher.

Within a period of ten years following the donation of a steel bench and five years following the donation of a wood bench, the Park Authority will repair or replace the bench if it is severely damaged.

General Information
Full funding for the donation must be received in advance.

Donated trees and benches are the property of the Park Authority and are maintained at the same level as other park trees and benches.

The Park Authority retains the right to relocate a donated bench and replant or replace a donated tree in a new location. Staff will attempt to contact the donor to select the new location, but the park manager will make the final decision.

Other Donations
The Park Authority welcomes donations to purchase other items needed in county parks. Please talk with the park manager or call the Park Foundation for more information.

For more information on donating a tree, bench or other item to a favorite park or golf course, contact the park manager directly, call the Park Foundation at 703-324-8581, or send us an email.