Families May Remember Loved OnesThrough Memorial Bench Program

Press Release
Leelanau County Commissioner Alan Campbell

Contact:
Lauren Cypher
Leelanau County Administrative Assistant
231-256-9711 · lcypher@leelanau.gov

Leelanau County families may honor their deceased loved ones by purchasing a memorial bench in Veronica Valley County Park in Bingham Township.

The Leelanau County Parks and Recreation Commission has initiated a pilot program to install up to nine permanent benches throughout the park. The cream-colored fiberglass benches will be anchored with cement and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Benches will be identical.

A metal plaque, engraved with a message from the purchasing family and the name of the deceased, will be attached to the five-foot bench.

The cost will be $1,500, which covers all expenses associated with the purchase and installation of the bench. If any funds remain, they will be placed in the Parks and Recreation budget to help defray future maintenance expenses. A sample bench can be viewed at the entrance to the Leelanau County Government Center.

Park commissioners are closely watching the level of interest in the bench program, which could be used as a template to fund other park projects planned in Old Settlers Park in Burdickville, Myles Kimmerly Park near Maple City, and Veronica Valley.

One memorial bench already exists in Veronica Valley along the bank of Kids Fishing Pond. That bench was dedicated to the devotion shown by Pete Taylor, founder of Kids Fishing Day, which continues to be held on the fourth Sunday of June. The 2026 date is June 28.

Applications may be picked up at the Leelanau County Government Center in the Administrator’s Office.