Dedicate a Bench: Make a Lasting Mark in a Chicago Park
The Chicago Park Foundation’s Bench Dedication Program allows for individuals to be recognized in their favorite Chicago parks. Whether the dedication is in honor of a loved one or commemorating a group, there’s a spot in one of our beautiful parks for your bench.
The Chicago Parks Foundation works personally with individuals and families to pick out the perfect placement for your bench. We are currently working with Michael Banks and family who resides in Colorado.
Paula Banks and children at the Chicago Lakefront
"Our parents, Victor and Paula Banks, loved the Chicago Lakefront," says Michael. "They spent the best years of their life and every summer at the area near Ohio Street Beach. In particular, my dad swam and my mother loved to sit on the benches. They would be thrilled to know that there is now a bench for others to sit on in their honor at the place they loved most. It was a delight to work with the Chicago Parks Foundation in making this possible."
The Banks’ family bench will be installed this summer in Jane Addams Memorial Park near Ohio Street Beach. Mr. and Mrs. Banks plan on making a trip from their home in Colorado to Chicago this summer to see the bench and commemorate their parents.
Most recently, the Chicago Parks Foundation completed a Bench Dedication for Dave Wallin and his family. Dave enjoys walking through Promontory Point, and noticed the bench dedications throughout the park. He decided to place a bench there in memory of his wife, Chris.
Dave has had the opportunity to spend time at his wife’s bench a couple of times since its placement. This past weekend, Dave and his family had a picnic near the bench. Dave said his family was “happy and amazed” when seeing the bench and that he was “very happy with the craftsmanship."