The City of Chanhassen supports the needs and principles of allowing memorials in parks and green space areas but is also mindful that these facilities have many uses and are enjoyed by a wide range of people. Therefore, the city desires to manage and regulate memorials for the mutual benefit of all. It is the intention that the Memorial Giving Policy only covers the broad sense of memorials and is not meant to be exhaustive. Memorial proposals outside the scope of this policy may still be considered.

General

1. Applications for memorials and to scatter ashes in park and green space areas are available at city hall or by clicking on the links at the end of this section. The Parks & Recreation Director (appointed officer) shall consider applications.
2. Applications will be accepted from next of kin or an executor of the estate.
3. The applicant must pay for all memorials on or before installation.
4. Memorials will be positioned to maximize the benefit to an area. The city will always attempt to accommodate the applicant's wishes.
5. The number of memorials shall not detract from the prime recreational purposes of an area. The city may limit the number of memorials on a particular site.
6. Unless expressly noted, the city accepts no liability for damage to any memorials from vandals, third parties or while carrying out maintenance activities.
7. The city reserves the right to remove any memorials that have been damaged and, in the view of the appointed officer, beyond repair.
8. Applications for memorials to pets or to scatter the ashes of pets shall not be accepted.

Application for Memorial

Application to Scatter Cremated Remains

Memorial Tree and Plaque

1. The memorial tree program plants a 1½ caliper inch balled and burlapped maple, oak, or linden tree in the donator's park of choice with recognition of the memorial on a permanent plaque displayed at city hall.
2. The donor can choose the general vicinity of the planting location within a park; the exact placement of the tree depends upon existing site conditions and shall be determined by the appointed officer.
3. The name displayed on the memorial plaque shall be the individual's full proper name. Nicknames, where appropriate, may be included at the donor's request.
4. No additional mementos, e.g., vases, statues, etc., shall be permitted at the tree's location.
5. The cost of a memorial tree is $500. The health of the tree is guaranteed for five years.

Memorial Bench

1. A memorial bench may be dedicated in the donator's park of choice.
2. The donor can choose the general placement within a park; the bench's exact location depends upon existing site conditions and shall be determined by the appointed officer.
3. Benches will be constructed from concrete material and be of a high-quality design. The city and its contractor will secure the bench in a concrete pad.
4. A brass plaque with the inscription "in memory of" the person's name, recognition of public office (if appropriate), and dates of birth and death will be affixed to the bench. If the plaque is damaged, defaced, or removed, the city will replace it for the useful life of the bench.
5. No additional mementos, e.g., vases, statues, etc., shall be permitted at the location of the bench.
6. The cost of a memorial bench is $1,000. A bench is guaranteed for a minimum of 10 years.

View a description and photo of the bench to be installed.

Ashes

1. Ashes shall only be scattered in locations agreed to in advance by the Parks & Recreation Director at a predetermined time, day, and date in consultation with the estate's next of kin or executor.
2. No additional mementos, e.g., vases, statues, etc., shall be permitted at the location where the ashes are scattered.

Other Memorials

1. Other memorial donations, e.g., picnic shelter, playground, etc., will be considered on an individual basis.
2. Recognition of such memorials will be made at an appropriate level in consultation with the next of kin or executor of the estate.

For more information or to submit an application for memorial, contact the Parks & Recreation Director. 

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