Central Park is one of the best known parks in the world, and to all of us New Yorkers it is our extended 843 acre backyard where we go to walk, run, bike, picnic and take a step back from the hectic pace of the City. Central Park is designed to encourage play and rest in equal measure, with benches lining and dotting its landscape for an opportunity to sit, relax, and take in the beauty of the park. Central Park benches look beautiful in all kinds of weather, and I love that Central Park has a program under which you can Adopt a Bench for a lifetime endowment, which I am privileged to have to express my gratitude for the role that Central Park has played in my life since I moved here in 1999.
Central Park has over 10,000 benches, some of which have been in the park for over a century, while others are relatively new. Central Park Benches come in a variety of styles, from classic wooden benches to more modern designs, all easily accessible to visitors with plenty of options to choose from, both inside Central Park and dotting its outer perimeter.
This article takes a closer look at the types of benches in Central Park, and their Adopt a Bench program.
Table of Contents
The History of Central Park Benches
Central Park, located in New York City, is home to over 10,000 benches. The first benches, which date back to the inception of Central Park, were the Central Park settee and Rustic benches. The settee benches were designed to blend into the landscape, while the rustic benches were made of wood and designed to complement the landscape.
In 1929, Central Park saw the installation of new benches that were made of concrete and wood. These were added to in 1939 by The Moses Bench, or the World’s Fair Bench, which traces its origins to Robert Moses, a New York City parks commissioner. Moses was the force behind creating a cast iron bench with hoop arms for the 1939 World Fair, many of which can be found in Central Park.
Today, Central Park benches are made of a variety of materials, including wood, concrete, and metal. Many of the benches in the park are also part of the Adopt-A-Bench program, which allows individuals to dedicate a bench to a loved one or a special cause.
Types of Benches in Central Park
Central Park is home to over 10,000 benches, each with its own unique story to tell. Here are the different types of benches you can find in Central Park:
World’s Fair Benches
World’s Fair Benches are a classic sight in Central Park, and can be found in the more formal and landscaped parts of the Park, including the Great Lawn and some Park entrances, such as the ones off Central Park South (59th Street). These are made of cast iron with rounded arms.
Concrete And Wood Benches
Concrete benches are sturdy and low-maintenance. They are often found near playgrounds and sports fields, as they can withstand heavy use. These benches are also a common sight on the park’s many walking paths.
Central Park Settee
The Central Park Settee is one of the original styles of benches in Central Park.
Rustic Benches
Rustic benches are made of natural materials like unmilled logs and branches. These benches blend in seamlessly with the park’s natural surroundings. They can be found in more secluded areas of the park, such as the Ramble, Shakespeare’s Garden, and at the Pond when you go down the steps from Grand Army Plaza off Central Park South.
Central Park Conservancy is responsible for repairing – or replacing – Central Park Benches as needed.
Whispering Bench in Central Park
The Charles B. Stover Bench is actually a Whispering Bench that is a fun little secret hidden in Central Park. Located inside the 4-acre Shakespeare Garden, the Whispering Bench is named after Charles B. Stover, a former New York City Parks Commissioner and social reformer who played a significant role in the development of Central Park. The semi-circular granite bench is built so a whisper spoken into one end of the bench can be heard on the other side.
The Adopt-a-Bench Central Park Program
The benches in Central Park are an integral part of its charm, and are available for a lifetime endowment under the Adopt-a-Bench program, which was established in 1986. Over 8,000 of its 10,000 benches have already been adopted under this program.
The Adopt-a-Bench program allows donors to adopt a bench for a tax-deductible contribution of $10,000 to the Central Park Conservancy. In recognition of their contribution, a personalized plaque is installed on a Central Park bench of the donor’s choosing. As these the benches adopted under this program are a lifetime endowment, the number of available benches is rapidly dwindling, as I found out recently while trying to adopt one to thank New York and Central Park for the defining role they have played in my life.
The Adopt-a-Bench program is both a great way to support fundraising efforts for the park and to honor a loved one, commemorate a special occasion, or give a unique gift. Donors can choose the bench location from available benches, and the plaque inscription is fully customized and bears the name of the person being honored.
A Central Park Benches Map showing all available benches that are available for adoption is available on Central Park’s website, where you can also download a form that is required for this. However, while the map shows broad areas of where benches are available, it is necessary to contact the Central Park Conservancy to get details of the exact benches that are available with their bench numbers to fill out the form. They are incredibly helpful with this, though as I found out recently all the benches within Central Park below 81st Street have been endowed for the most part, though benches along the outer perimeter are available on the east and west sides of Central Park along Fifth Avenue and Central Park West respectively. The ones on the east perimeter are backless benches, while those on the outside west perimeter primarily have backs.
The plaques can have text of your choosing, and can be for any reason at all as you can see from some plaques on endowed benches below.
My Bench in Central Park
I have the honor of having a bench endowed in my name in Central Park, which is just such an amazing thing as a New Yorker given there are all of 10,000 benches. Here is what mine has to say –
If you would like to look for my bench, it is a backless one at Grand Army Plaza, which is just off 5th Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets, at the corner you can see in the picture below –
Other Seating Options in Central Park
Central Park offers a variety of seating options beyond the iconic park benches. Visitors can enjoy picnics, lounging on the grass, sitting at picnic tables, or at any of the other seating options available in Central Park.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available in areas such as the Arthur Ross Pinetum which is Mid-Park between 84th-86th Streets or Great Hill which is on the West Side between 103rd-107th Streets. The tables are made of wood and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are encouraged to clean up after themselves and dispose of their trash in the appropriate receptacles.
Grass Areas
Central Park is full of grassy areas which are popular to sit and picnic on. As long as the area is not closed off, all of Central Park is a seating option for the most part, although Sheep Meadow, North Meadow and the Great Lawn Oval are the grassy areas that tend to get crowded, especially in the summer.
Great Lawn Oval is a large oval-shaped lawn that is always popular, and the site of many performances such as Philharmonic in the Park and more recently the Global Citizen Concerts. Sheep Meadow is a 15-acre grassy expanse that is perfect for lounging, and North Meadow, which is a quieter grassy area that is perfect for picnics and playing sports.
Visitors must be respectful of the grass areas and not damage the grass or vegetation, and to clean up after themselves and dispose of their trash in the appropriate receptacles.
Playgrounds
Central Park has several playgrounds that are perfect for families with children. The playgrounds offer a variety of seating options, including benches and picnic tables. The playgrounds are designed for children of all ages and offer a variety of activities, including swings, slides, and climbing structures.
Overall, Central Park offers a variety of seating options beyond the iconic park benches. Visitors can enjoy picnics, lounging on the grass, or sitting at picnic tables. The park encourages visitors to be respectful of the seating areas and to clean up after themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process for adopting a bench in Central Park?
To adopt a bench in Central Park, one must fill out an application and make a donation of $10,000 or more to the Central Park Conservancy. Anyone interested in adopting a bench should contact the email address that is specified, and they will contact you to send a detailed map with bench numbers of available benches. The number of the bench you are interested in adopting is required to complete the application before submission.
How much does it cost to adopt a bench in Central Park?
The cost to adopt a bench in Central Park is $10,000, though you can choose to donate more while adopting a bench. It is the same cost irrespective of location, or whether or not the bench has a back or is backless.
What are the benefits of adopting a bench in Central Park?
Adopting a bench in Central Park is a great way to support the park and to leave a lifetime legacy. In addition to having a plaque with the donor’s name installed on the bench, donors also receive recognition in the Central Park Conservancy’s annual report.
How much is a bench in Central Park?
The cost of a bench in Central Park under the Adopt a Bench program is $10,000, though you can choose to donate more to help Central Park Conservancy with their efforts.
Can I choose the location of my adopted bench in Central Park?
Yes, you can choose the location of your adopted bench from any of the available benches in Central Park that have not already been endowed, which can be confirmed with the Central Park Conservancy. As 7,000 of the 10,000 benches in Central Park have already been adopted, available locations tend to be above 81st Street within Central Park, and along the outer perimeter of Central Park.
Are there any other parks in NYC where I can adopt a bench?
Yes, there are other parks in NYC where you can adopt a bench. The New York City Parks Department has an Adopt-A-Bench program that allows donors to adopt a bench or dedicate a tree across all the boroughs.
How much does a Central Park bench cost?
A Central Park Bench costs $10,000 to adopt under Central Park Conservancy’s Adopt a Bench Program.
How many benches are in Central Park?
There are over 10,000 benches in Central Park, with over 8,000 of them having been adopted through the Adopt-A-Bench program.
