FVRD Receives Bench Donations

The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) received a generous donation of two beautifully handcrafted  benches for use in Thacker Regional Park. The donations were made by Doug Lasser, also known in the District of Hope as, The Bench Guy.

Doug walks nearly 5 kilometres a day, and with taking that many steps per day, finding a comfortable place to sit and take a breather on the trail, was sometimes becoming challenging. Doug’s passion of building benches started when he was living on the Sunshine Coast. After taking a break on his walk one day, he found himself sitting on a fallen tree along one of his favorite trails. It wasn’t the most comfortable seat so Doug thought to himself, this would be a great place to have a bench, and there began Doug’s passion for building his handcrafted benches. Doug has lived in Hope since 1981 and you may have already taken a rest on one of his benches in some of Hope’s trails. Doug’s generosity does not end with this donation, he advised the FVRD that he has plans to make more benches and donate them for other trails in the region.

“We are tremendously grateful for this thoughtful donation for Thacker Regional Park,” said Patricia Ross, FVRD Board Chair. “The passion Doug has for outdoor public spaces, his attention to detail with his handicrafts, and his modesty towards giving back, is simply inspiring,” she said.

Thacker Regional Park is an 11-hectare park in Hope, BC near Kawkawa Lake and is managed and maintained by the Fraser Valley Regional District. A portion of the Trans-Canada Trail runs through this park. For more information visit https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/parks-recreation/parks-trails/thacker.html