Adopt-A-Bench

Established in 1986, the Adopt-A-Bench program provides funding to maintain and endow the care of Central Park's more than 10,000 benches and their surrounding landscapes. To date, more than 7,000 benches have been adopted.

A bench is a wonderful way to memorialize or honor a loved one, or share as a meaningful gift for a birthday, anniversary, new baby, or graduation. In recognition of contributions to the fund, the Conservancy will install a personalized plaque on a Park bench of the donor's choosing. Benches may be endowed for $10,000.

View a map of available benches in Central Park.

Once you have selected an area in one of the shaded locations on the map, please email [email protected] with your preference and you will be provided with detailed maps which will indicate exactly with benches are available, so you can choose your perfect bench. It is important to use the provided maps, as not every bench without a plaque is available.

Benchmark Program

Join together with friends or family to support the Park with our BenchMark program. With the use of this group fundraising tool, you and your loved ones can raise funds for your shared 843-acre backyard.

Please email [email protected] to set up a fundraising team.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I see a bench without a plaque in the Park. According to the map, there are no benches available in this area. Is this bench available?

Unfortunately, not all benches without plaques are available for endowment. Some are still waiting for their plaques to be installed. In general, it is best to refer to the map for the most up-to-date information on bench availability.

The Central Park Conservancy introduced a new procedure that asks donors to submit their plaque inscription within one year of endowing a bench, but many benches were endowed before this procedure was introduced.

I have found the bench I would like to endow, and it appears to be available on the bench map. What is the next step?

After you have found the bench and checked its availability on the bench map, please make your donation to confirm the bench location. You may make your donation by credit card, check, wire transfer, or stock. Please be sure to include your Adopt-A-Bench form with your donation. To submit your form and intent to donate, please email [email protected].

I am part of a group that would like to endow a bench. How do we proceed?

Please choose a coordinator to represent your group when communicating preferences such as bench location and plaque draft approvals.

You may collaborate with friends or family to endow a bench using BenchMark. With the use of this group fundraising tool, you and your loved ones can raise a donation for your shared 843-acre backyard. Please email [email protected] to set up a fundraising team.

I would like to have the bench I endowed repainted.

With help of Central Park Conservancy volunteers, our Operations team continues to repaint approximately 10,000 benches in the Park. We can work on repainting benches when sustained temperatures are above 50 degrees and the weather remains relatively dry.

Please email [email protected] with your request, and we would be happy to follow up regarding the next scheduled painting where your endowed bench is located.

I have already endowed a bench and would like to add my plaque.

Please email [email protected] with your request. We will take you through the steps to add your plaque on your endowed bench, including sharing a draft from the engraver for your review and approval. Once the draft is approved, it takes approximately seven to nine weeks for the plaque to be produced, delivered, and installed.

I would like to add a second plaque to the bench I endowed.

For an additional donation of $10,000, you may “double endow” your existing bench in the Park. When installed, both bench plaques will be centered on the bench.

Are there limitations to what I can include on a plaque?

Please note that we cannot display graphics or logos on plaques. It is important to use the inscription template provided on the Adopt-A-Bench form. The bench plaque is 2.75 inches by 5.5 inches, with limited space for engraving the inscription; the more text on the inscription, the smaller the font must be.

Adopt-A-Bench Co-Chairs

Patti Fast
Neda Navab

Contact

For more information, email [email protected].

A program of the Women's Committee