BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OXFORD -- You may honor loved ones with memorials in city parks -- just don't overdo it.
That's the essence of an ordinance approved this week by Oxford City Council.
"From time to time, the Parks and Recreation Department receives requests to create memorials to deceased city residents in city parks," City Manager Mark Roath said. "The city does not have a written policy to handle such requests."
Mayor William Snavely said the city needs clarity and consistency on the issue, especially with plans for a new city park.
"The question has come up," he said.
The ordinance, based on memorial policies adopted by other cities, permits several kinds of memorials and tributes:
A memorial certificate, which may be provided for a minimum contribution of $25 to the Parks and Recreation Gift Fund. The certificate acknowledges an individual in an annual report filed at the city building.
A small plaque, bearing the individual's name, may be placed at the base of a tree. It will also give the tree's species name. Costs -- the value of an existing tree, staff time and materials -- will be determined by the parks director.
A bench, drinking fountain or other public amenity -- consistent with park standards -- may be donated for the cost of acquisition and installation. An appropriate memorial plaque, as determined by the parks director, may be affixed.
Mr. Roath said Oxford's new memorial policy, which applies citywide, will:
Prevent a "proliferation of memorials that would eventually change the nature of the public's experience" in parks -- that is, the city believes its parks should celebrate natural beauty and not focus on death.
Limit free-standing memorials, which become objects of curiosity with the passage of time "unless the individual memorialized is of extraordinary stature." Requests for such memorials will go through an extended approval process involving board and city council action.
Open a range of memorial and tribute opportunities to people of all income levels.
Make sure the program benefits the general public, not only the family and friends of the person being memorialized.
