Adopt-A-Bench

Please refer to the map for the most current information on our available bench inventory and complete the inquiry form to specify which areas you would like more information about. Not all benches without plaques are available for adoption.

If three or more donors would like to donate toward a bench adoption, we will create a special BenchMark fundraising page on the group’s behalf. This tool allows the Conservancy to easily track all donations while creating a space for your group to honor a loved one and share the current progress toward your fundraising goal. Unlike other crowdsourcing platforms such as GoFundMe, we provide this service at no additional cost to you. Please see here for a sample BenchMark page.

Please choose a coordinator to represent your group’s wishes and submit this form requesting a BenchMark fundraising page. Someone from our team will help you set up a page to share with your network, allowing individuals to donate directly via your BenchMark page. Once your group has met your fundraising goal, we will assist you in confirming a bench for endowment and guide you through the plaque inscription process.

You may request to have your bench repaired here. Please note that bench painting and repairs are weather dependent. Requests are addressed as they are received.

We request that plaque inscriptions be submitted within a year of endowing a bench. Please complete this form to submit your preferred inscription and font preference. You may submit an inscription that is up to 4 lines and 30 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation. Once received, our engraver will provide a proof for your approval. Please note that once the proof is approved, it may take up to 9 weeks for the plaque to be produced and installed. Installations may be delayed due to weather conditions.

With a $1,000 donation, you may replace a plaque on your adopted bench.

With a donation of $10,000, you may double endow your existing bench. When installed, both bench plaques will be centered on the bench.

Please complete this form with your request.

As part of our stewardship of Central Park, we do not add benches unless they are affiliated with a larger capital project, so that we can preserve the vision of the landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

We accept donations via credit card, check, donor advised fund, wire transfer, or stock. Once we confirm that a bench is available, we will process your donation to endow the bench that you selected.

Yes, your donation is fully tax deductible.