The Chicago Parks Foundation offers a personalized bench dedication program to honor loved ones, celebrated community figures, and lifelong park lovers.

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Antonia (Toña) Lozano's favorite place in Chicago was the lake. She lived in Chicago for over 10 years, and constantly told her six children that it was her favorite city. Toña felt at home near the lake at Foster Beach. She would play with her children there and organize barbecues for family and friends. 

After Toña passed in Mexico, her family wanted to  bring her back to her favorite place. This spring, Toña's six children, husband, fourteen grandkids, (and one great grandchild on the way), traveled by train for 24 hours from New Mexico to Chicago to celebrate Toña's life with a bench dedication. Toña's bench looks out across the lake. Hazel, Toña's youngest daughter, says, "She's facing the lake, she would really enjoy that."

The Lozano Family's religion does not allow them to spread ashes, and Hazel says she is happy she is able to keep her mother's memory present in Chicago. She says knowing the bench is there for them to visit is a rewarding feeling.