WESTWOOD—Nineteen new bench sites are in the works at Veterans’ Memorial Park, opening the door to families who were shut out of the Westwood Park Bench Donation Program when demand exceeded supply.
More than two dozen families already have remembered a loved one or honored a special achievement with a park bench engraved with a name or sentiment.
To date, the bench program features 26 memorial and recognition benches at Veterans’ Memorial Park, Voorhis Park, Westvale Park, Fireman’s Park and the Westwood Bird Sanctuary.
Eighteen benches stand at Veterans’ Memorial Park: 17 near the bandstand and one near the flagpole. Each supports a memorial plaque and is maintained solely by the borough.
Ah, but that’s old news: Three new bench sites are prepared at Veterans’ Memorial Park, with 16 more in the works, according to Councilman Peter Grefrath, who spearheads the initiative.
The sites dovetail with the work of green thumbs and Eagle Scout candidates Andrew Loverlich and Dan DeMarco.
Loverlich’s recent project saw him restore and refurbish the park’s World War I memorial. The first three new benches will be placed around that august memorial.
The 16 additional bench sites eyed for the park will leverage DeMarco’s Garden of Service project, which redeveloped the ornamental ring not far from the 9/11 memorial as a monument to each of the five branches of the military.
The borough’s Shade Tree Committee in October 2016 unanimously agreed to donate $1,300 for five pin oaks now rooted there.
New benches and rethought walkways are part of the park’s final push in a popular revitalization project, kicked off in 2012.
While this phase awaits funding, residents have been asking the town for new benches for years, Grefrath told the Pascack Press.
“The wait is over. Once people see benches appearing again, they’ll start selling,” he said.
The introduction of memorial benches rather than memorial trees is a key element of the restoration project, though the benches, too, make great use of the verdant splendor that is Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Grefrath, who works with Recreation Director Gary Buchheister on the bench program, said that due to the popularity of the benches around the bandstand – they sold out in their first six months at $1,900 each – a waiting list is going for memorial benches sited near the Garden of Service, first come, first served.
And, because of that demand, every memorial bench old or new can now feature a second plaque for a $100 fee, installed.
A brochure explaining options to established bench owners and prospective ones is available in the Westwood clerk’s office, the recreation department and on the borough’s home page.
“Your bench will enhance the aesthetic value of our community for all to enjoy while preserving the legacy of a family member or friend,” reads the brochure in part.
At Veterans’ Memorial Park, a “Victor Stanley” model solid black cast-iron bench is available as a memorial, and has an armrest in the middle. The donation for this is $1,800.
For Brookside, Hegeman, McKinley, Voorhis, Westvale and all other parks, the memorial or recognition bench is a “Wabash Valley” brown plastic-coated steel bench model, also with an armrest in the middle, for a $1,000 donation.
Prices include the cost of the bench, installation, and engraving of up to 45 characters.
All donations will be placed in a fund for the purchase of additional benches and for the maintenance of damaged benches, the brochure informs.
Great job, scouts!
At recent Borough Council meetings, both Grefrath and Council President Christopher Montana, who also serves on the Shade Tree Committee, lauded Loverlich and Dan DeMarco for their contributions to the community.
“I had the pleasure of working with Andrew to secure shrubs and plants from American Nursery at a significantly reduced rate. And I worked with Dan on July 8 to finish the prep work at his project to plant and lay the sod. They are both fine additions to the park and we are very proud of their accomplishments,” Montana said July 18.
Veterans’ Memorial Park, at Broadway and Third Avenue, is a downtown jewel offering Veterans Day and Memorial Day events; the Summer Concert Series; the Community Band Concert Series; fundraising events such as flea markets, and craft and antiques shows; Westwood Pride Day to bring attention to local civic groups; summer Movies in the Park; and Home for the Holidays.
It’s also a great place to stroll or sit and enjoy living, working or playing in Westwood.