Nearly 20 years ago, Lori Diane Edmonds purchased a memorial bench and plaque to honor her late husband. Now, the City of Long Beach is demanding thousands of dollars to keep the bench in place.

Long Beach Family’s Unexpected Fee

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Lori Diane Edmonds and her family were taken aback when the City of Long Beach requested $6,000 to continue leasing the land where a memorial bench for her late husband, Michael Edmonds, is located. Lori has visited the Alamitos Bay Marina regularly for 19 years to remember her husband, who passed away due to a surfing accident.

Lori recalls the original agreement with the city as a one-time payment for the bench and plaque. She believed this arrangement was permanent, similar to cemetery plots, which do not require additional fees after the initial purchase.

The City’s Response

The City of Long Beach, through the non-profit organization Partners of Parks, clarified that the tribute bench program involves leasing space on city property for a specified period, typically 10 years. Partners of Parks supports the city’s parks and recreational facilities through funding partnerships that benefit various community programs, including scholarships for youth and grocery gift cards for low-income seniors.

According to the city, the original agreement did not specify perpetuity for the bench’s location. The Edmonds family owns the bench and plaque but not the land on which they sit. The current listed price for a waterfront bench lease renewal is $12,000, but the city offered the family a reduced renewal fee of $6,000 for another 10 years.

Options for the Edmonds Family

Partners of Parks provided the Edmonds family with three options:

1. Renew the Lease: Pay the $6,000 renewal fee to keep the bench in its current location for another 10 years.
2. Relocate the Bench: Move the bench to the family’s private property.
3. Do Nothing: If no action is taken, the bench will remain until it becomes a safety hazard or a new donor requests that space.

The organization emphasized their intent to apply the renewal process consistently across all memorial bench owners in Long Beach. The funds raised through these fees support community programs and help bridge funding gaps for city parks.

The Family’s Perspective

Lori’s daughter, Trisha Skubic, expressed frustration over the city’s demand for additional fees, arguing that the original agreement should have been clearly documented. She believes the city should produce evidence that the agreement was not for a lifetime lease, considering the significant amount paid for the bench and plaque initially.

For Lori and her family, the issue goes beyond financial concerns. The bench serves as a tangible place to honor Michael’s memory, and losing it would mean losing a cherished spot for reflection and remembrance.

Fundraising Efforts

In response to the city’s demands, the Edmonds family has started raising funds to cover the renewal fee. They hope to gather enough support from the community to ensure the bench remains in its place, continuing to serve as a tribute to Michael’s life.

The Bigger Picture

This situation highlights broader issues regarding memorial spaces on public property. As urban areas continue to develop, the management and upkeep of memorials can become complex, often involving significant costs. The balance between honoring personal tributes and maintaining public spaces is delicate, requiring clear communication and transparent agreements.

Communities may need to explore sustainable models for memorial spaces, possibly involving endowments or longer-term leases to prevent unexpected financial burdens on grieving families.

By addressing these challenges thoughtfully, cities like Long Beach can ensure that memorials remain meaningful places of remembrance without imposing undue hardship on families.

For now, Lori Diane Edmonds and her family remain determined to keep Michael’s memory alive through their memorial bench. Their efforts reflect the deep emotional connections that such spaces foster, underscoring the importance of compassionate and equitable policies for all community members.

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