‘Bench Guy’ donates new additions to regional park in Hope, plans to make more

HOPE — If you’re ever on one of roughly 34 scenic trails in Hope, B.C., you might eventually find yourself resting on the hard work of one Doug Lasser– also known as “The Bench Guy”.

Though Lasser has lived in Hope since 1981, Bench Guy’s story started when he caught himself sitting uncomfortably on a fallen tree at one of his favourite trails on the Sunshine Coast.

“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,” wrote the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD).

Walking nearly five kilometres a day gives Lasser plenty of chances to find good spots for his work. Most recently, he had donated two new handcrafted additions to Thacker Regional Park, an 11-hectare park near Kawkawa Lake.

“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.”

The 88-year-old benchmaker is still going strong. Lasser has advised the FVRD that he plans to make more benches and donate them to other trails in the region.

More information on Thacker Park is available online through the regional district’s website.