June 23, 2006

Dania Beach offers two ways for residents to leave their mark at city facilities.

The Pick A Seat Program allows people or organizations to have their name inscribed on a bench at any city park for a $535 donation.

The I.T. Parker Brick Fund allows residents to have their name, or the name of a loved one, inscribed on a brick paver outside the community center for a $45 donation.

About three or four families have participated in the Pick A Seat Program, and more than 100 in the I.T. Parker fund, said Martha Riguero, administrative coordinator for the city's Parks Department.

"[The brick fund] is an older program, so there's been more time," Riguero said. "More people know about it. The Pick A Seat Program only started last year, around August or September."

Money from donations is used to purchase and maintain the seats and bricks, she said.

"The seats are engraved personally," Riguero said. "We have them in all the parks and you can choose where you want to place it and at which park."

Purchasing a seat at Melaleuca Park was meaningful for city resident Terrell McCombs.

"[I purchased it] because we worked on it as a community with a vacant piece of land and we were awarded a 2004 Broward Beautiful Grant, and we all worked on it as a community," McCombs said. "And I wanted to put a seat there in memory of my family. The seat and the park beautifies and enhances the community."

Purchasing a seat or brick is simple, Riguero said.

"We have order forms and information online, with all the instructions," she said.

Bricks and seat markers can display up to three lines of 20 characters per line.

For more information, call 954-924-3626 or 954-924-3698 or visit www.ci.dania-beach.fl.us.

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