Through Bike Net, members of the Beartooth Nordic and Hiking Club of Billings donated a total of $1,400 for a memorial bench and small plaque in honor of Gary Hafer at Swords Park, see attachment A.  The donation will also pay for Parks and Recreation staff to install the bench and plaque along the Heritage trail approximately 500 feet west of the trailhead located at the intersection of Rimtop Road and Airport Road.  Any surplus funds from the purchase and installation of the bench and plaque will go toward the purchase and installation of a restroom structure at the Swords park Trailhead.  This generous donation is in response to a donation program and brochure developed cooperatively between the Parks and Recreation Department and the Billings Chamber of Commerce requesting needed furnishings along the trail at Swords Park.  This bench will provide a resting place at a location that also captures a scenic view of the Yellowstone River, Billings and distant mountain ranges.  This is the second donation resulting from this marketing program to provide much needed furnishings along the trail at Swords Park and demonstrates the public's generosity and interest in their parks.

Council may:
      1.  Accept the donation.
      2.  Not accept the donation.

There will be no financial impact to the City of Billings.

Staff recommends Council accept this donation of $1,400 from Bike Net and the Beartooth Nordic and Hiking Club for a memorial bench at Swords Park.