Bench Buddies: Honoring Those Who Walk Beside Us

Many of us understand the companionship between an owner and the beloved four-legged friend that walks beside. These companions have often spent days walking all around parks in the Virginia Beach area. It is a wonderful way to be outdoors exploring or sticking to a daily routine of a walk or run in a park.

Some of these four-legged friends are no longer with us, but they can always be remembered in their favorite park. The Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation’s (VBPRF) Bench Buddies program provides a way for owners to honor their companions while also benefiting the local community.

Snoopy was a Beagle who absolutely loved taking long walks and playing at the park. Being outside was a major part of Snoopy’s life and he especially loved exploring the trails at Mount Trashmore. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on as he is honored on a bench in his favorite park.

For others, it is important to honor those who have had a major impact on their life; those who walked beside them through the happy and sad days. Some are only on the earth for a small period of time but they are able to make a big impact while they are here.

One resident always had a special connection to nature with her father. When he passed away, she decided to honor him by purchasing a bench in his name on the new pier at Mount Trashmore. She now goes to visit his bench and recalls fond memories of the times they spent together in nature.

Another resident was a young, terminally ill mother who wanted to dedicate a bench to her husband and two toddlers. The bench was located in Munden Point Park, where she and her husband often took their children to play. VBPRF rushed to have her plaque engraved so she could see it before she passed away. This bench is now a beautiful reminder to her family of the times they shared together.

The Bench Buddies program supports the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation’s mission of making a great community better. VBPRF, a 501(c)(3) organization, works to raise funds, accepts gifts, provides other resources to enhance existing programs and services to ensure access for all residents to Parks & Recreation programs. 

With over 200 parks in our city that can house a Bench Buddy, you are able to sponsor an existing bench or place a new bench that has meaning to you or your loved one. If you would like more information on the Bench Buddies program or would like to sponsor one for personal or business reasons, visit: https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/foundation/Pages/bench-buddies.aspx.

Written by: Rikki Eskelund