Memorial Program

Through the City of Portage Memorial Program, groups and individuals can donate benches and trees in someone’s honor. Your gift will be a wonderful remembrance or commemoration that enhances the beauty of the Portage Parks' natural environment. All items are planted or placed within the Portage parks and trail system.

Tree Donations - $1,500

A tree is a long-lasting opportunity to honor or remember a loved one. At the same time, it improves the beauty and quality of Portage Parks for all to enjoy. Choose from Sugar Maple, American Hornbeam, or Swamp White Oak trees. The City of Portage will maintain the tree and plaque for its lifetime and will be replaced if damaged or dies within the first three years after planting. The tree and plaque will experience continued maintenance, including fertilizing, mulching, and pruning. Commemorative trees will remain in place for the tree’s lifespan. However, Portage Parks & Recreation may replace or remove the tree should it become diseased or damaged. Should the need arise, trees may be relocated near the original location.

Bench Donations - $3,000

Memorial benches offer an option to honor or remember a loved one, as well as provide respite to park visitors to help them enjoy the natural surroundings. The city will maintain benches and plaques for their lifetime and will be replaced if damaged within the first 15 years after installation. After 15 years, the bench will be available for renewal for the cost of a new donation, with the first right of refusal given to the original donor. If the original donor opts not to renew, the donated bench and plaque may be removed or rededicated at any time.

Location

Donors may request a specific park location for a tree or bench; however, the exact site will be determined by Portage Parks & Recreation based on the conditions at the park. Donations can be made year-round. Trees will be planted in the spring and fall, and every effort will be made to install benches within three to six months of a donation. A plaque will be installed on the bench or in a prominent location in the park for tree donations.

Trees and benches may be donated at the following park and trail locations.

  • Celery Flats / Portage Creek Bicentennial Trail, 7335 Garden Lane
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Park, 1000 Martin Luther King Drive
  • Eliason Nature Reserve, 1814 West Osterhout Avenue
  • Haverhill Park, 6577 Hampton Street
  • Lakeview Park, 9345 Portage Road
  • Lexington Green Park, 4750 Pittsford Avenue
  • Portage Creek Bicentennial Park, 910 East Milham Avenue
  • Ramona Park, 8600 South Sprinkle Road
  • Schrier Park, 850 West Osterhout Avenue
  • West Lake Nature Preserve, 850 West Osterhout Avenue

To donate, please complete the Donation Request Form.

Leaf-A-Legacy: Tree Donation Program

Reforestation is a big job, and it will require the collective effort of our community to make it happen. By planting trees today, we can ensure a thriving, healthy forest for tomorrow. Your donation to the Portage Parks & Recreation “Leaf-A-Legacy” program will directly support the purchase and planting of trees throughout the City of Portage Park system. The May 7, 2024, tornado devastated Portage, destroying thousands of trees and hitting the Celery Flats Historical Area and the Portage Creek Bicentennial Park trail especially hard. Together we can restore the lush forests that make Portage a wonderful place to live, work, and play. Only native trees, recommended by our forester for the correct ecosystem location, tree species, and plant diversity, will be planted in the parks. Trees will be planted in areas where they are needed most. Every donation will receive a personalized “Leaf-A-Legacy” donor certificate, either in your name or to honor or memorialize someone special. Additional benefits are available based on your level of giving. Our goal is to plant at least 400 trees (approximately six to eight feet tall) over the next two years. This effort will revitalize Portage, reforest our natural lands, and provide homes and food for wildlife, as well as clean air and water for future generations.

Donations can be made in cash, check (payable to the Portage Parks Foundation), or online at the Portage Parks Foundation website. Check if your company offers a Corporate Matching Gift that can be applied to your donation. All donations are for a public purpose and are 100% tax-deductible. Please consult with your tax advisor.