STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: August 4, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Joana Torres, Community Services Manager
Subject: Recommendation of the Recreation and Parks City Council Liaisons for the Creation and Implementation of an Adopt-A-Tree Program; and
Recommendation of the Recreation and Parks City Council Liaisons for the Memorialization and Expansion of the City's Park Bench Donation Program
Attachments: 1. Example of Plaque Dedications
INTRODUCTION
At the June 17, 2025, City Council meeting, Council adopted the final City Council Priorities and Commission Work Plans for fiscal year 2025–26, which included Recreation and Parks Commission Work Plan items. These workplan items included developing an Adopt-a-Tree program. As staff began researching and designing an Adopt-a-Tree program, additional complexities and nuances emerged, necessitating consultation with the City Arborist to provide guidelines and assist the commission in initiating a conversation. At the March 24, 2026 meeting, staff presented program parameters developed in consultation with the City Arborist, including guidelines for tree placement, species selection, and ensuring compatibility with park conditions. The Commission supported the proposed Adopt-A-Tree program and provided recommendations for Council Liaison consideration.
In addition to the Adopt-a-Tree program, there was a desire to review the Park Bench Donation program which was developed during the reconstruction of Beverly Gardens Park in 2015. The program was developed providing the community opportunities to donate to the restoration project, give back to the City, while also memorializing their loved ones. The program had been expanded to Roxbury Park shortly thereafter as the park benches were replaced with the new standard park bench. The park bench program is currently set at $5,000 per bench for a total of 10 years. After 10 years, the donor has the option to either rededicate the bench for an additional $5,000 for 10 additional years, or have the plaque removed and sent to them.
At the March 24, 2026 meeting, staff provided the Recreation and Parks Commission information on the Park Bench Donation Program, including an overview of the program’s structure, donation requirements, and bench availability at Beverly Gardens Park and Roxbury Park. The Commission suggested reducing the remaining benches at Beverly Gardens Park to $2,500 and promoting the program in July during Parks Make Life Better Meeting Date: August 4, 2026
month and at the Farmers’ Market. The recommendation to improve on the promotion of the program was supported by the liaisons however, the reduction in dedication price was not supported.
The Commission’s recommendations for both programs were presented to the Recreation and Parks City Council Liaisons, former Councilmember Mirisch and Councilmember Nazarian on April 30, 2026. For the Adopt-a-Tree program, the Liaisons expressed strong support for the program concept and endorsed maintaining a single $20,000 donation level, allowing donors to select the park they would like to dedicate a tree with the City Arborist determining the specific planting location and species of tree being planted. The liaisons supported applying the program to include both new and existing trees with the exception of historic or specialty trees such as the large tree in Beverly Gardens Park or anywhere that has existing donor agreements preventing new dedications. The Liaisons also directed staff to explore durable dedication marker options, identify trees that should be ineligible due to historic significance to the City, and develop optional recognition addons.
For the park bench program, the Liaisons supported maintaining the existing $5,000 for 10 years dedication structure, expanding the program to all parks with updated benches currently or as they become available with space for a plaque. In lieu of considering a $2,500 option, Council Liaisons suggested exploring alternative donor recognition opportunities at a lower price point for community members through other avenues.
DISCUSSION
Adopt-a-Tree
• Location: The City Arborist provided advice that trees will need to be located within the City’s existing parks. Given ongoing maintenance and changes to the landscape of our parks, the City Arborist will be required to approve the selected location for each tree before the dedication is accepted and processed. No trees will be available for dedication in areas of Beverly Gardens Park that have donor agreements through the remodel of Beverly Gardens Park or on the blocks used for the biannual Beverly Hills Art Show.
• Type of Tree: The City Arborist will also be responsible for selecting the tree species and size that will be procured and planted to ensure the tree will thrive in the selected location, and compliance with the City’s Urban Forest Management plan. • Dedication: Liaisons recommended a low-profile marker that would not impede walkways, open space, or obstruct the growth of the tree, like those used to identify the City’s Fine Art. An example is provided in Attachment 1. • Cost: The donation will be $20,000 for both a new tree or the dedication of an existing tree and includes the cost of the plaque and dedication marker. Funds will be accepted through the Community Charitable Foundation and transferred to the City for ongoing maintenance and enhancement of parks.
Dedication Ceremony Add-On: The following dedication ceremony options will be available for donors. Ceremonies will be available during the following hours:
Monday – Friday 9am - 9pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am – 5pm to coincide with staff’s schedules for set-up and breakdown. Each event will require a refundable security/cleaning deposit equal to the cost of the event.
Meeting Date: August 4, 2026
1 hour Ceremony for less than 50 people:
Resident Non-Resident
Parks Ground Use $63/hr $78/hr
Event Strike/Prep Time $239 $299
Total $302 $377
1 hour Ceremony for 50-100 people:
Resident Non-Resident
Parks Ground Use $94/hr $118/hr
Event Strike/Prep Time $239 $299
Total $333 $417
If the addon is approved, the fees associated with this will be brought forward to City Council through an amendment to the Schedule of Taxes, Fees and Charges.
Park Bench Donation
• Locations: Expand program to all parks, including Mini parks if the benches are updated to the current model that accommodates the plaque insert. • Cost: $5,000 for 10 years with an option for a rededication for one additional 10- year term.
FISCAL IMPACT
Donation amounts should generally offset costs incurred, and there should be no material fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION
The Recreation and Parks Commission and City Council Liaisons recommend the approval and implementation of the Adopt-a-Tree program as well as the memorialization and expansion of the Park Bench Donation program.
Stephanie Harris,
Assistant City Manager
Approved By
ATTACHMENT 1
Meeting Date: August 4, 2026
The Commission Liaisons recommended dedication markers like those used for the City’s Fine Art Collection. These have also been approved by the City Arborist as they can be placed close to the trees without greatly impeding green space and walkways.