Lavallette’s New Bayfront Benches Being Assembled, ‘Retired’ Benches May be Sold

A P-660 outdoor bench. (Credit: Belson Outdoors)

Members of Lavallette’s Public Works department are busy assembling the borough’s new “fleet” of park benches that will replace dozens of older benches along the bayfront.

“The benches are in, and the plaques are also in,” said Councilwoman Joanne Filippone, who has helped spearhead the project to replace many of the old and deteriorating benches at the bay with new ones that will feature memorial plaque dedications ordered by residents. “DPW is beginning this week to assemble those benches and affix the plaques.”

Though the schedule for the benches to be placed in their new “home” along the bay is dependent on the availability of Public Works employees to – literally – do the heavy lifting, plus weather as fall nor’easter season begins, the target date for them to be delivered to the public is Oct. 15. That date would make the benches available for fall activities near the bayfront gazebo as well as provide a new spot for residents to enjoy late-season sunsets.

---

Get Daily Island News Updates Your email address:* Please enter all required fields Correct invalid entries

“The harder part is taking all of the old benches down,” said Filippone. “They weight about 350 pounds per piece.”

The weight is mainly attributed to the concrete frame of the benches, which was chosen in the past to prevent the benches from being carried by strong winds or flood waters during storms. Likewise, the new benches are optimized for weight using modern materials, which increased their cost but also maintains their durability in the coastal environment.

“That process is going to take a while to dismantle what’s there and put the new benches where we want them,” said Filippone.

The borough has received 62 new benches, which will be deployed along the bayfront. The first tranche will be placed in the “inner circle of benches and around the monument” near the gazebo, and a few closer to the water that are popular with those who enjoy catching a glimpse of the bay and the evening sunset. One bench is for the fire department – to be placed in front of the firehouse – while another is set to be installed along the parking lot near the gazebo.

Four groups of 12 benches will be placed around the monument, with the rest closer to the water.

Some of the old benches include memorials as well.

“The original benches were done years ago by the Heritage Committee, but there are no records,” said Filippone, who is working with the current members of the committee, as well as Public Works, to handle how the old benches will be disposed of.

The old benches may be placed on a public auction site such as GovDeals for sale, or they may simply be offered to the public for pickup.

The new benches are being funded mainly through donations of plaques that will memorialize the benches in honor of individuals and families. While some of the borough’s benches have long been in need of replacement, the process of purchasing them has proven challenging, as the borough’s efforts to source them from bidders and pre-approved state vendors produced less-than-desirable results. There will be additional benches ordered in the future, officials have said, however the 62 were purchased at once to remain under the state’s bidding threshold, enabling the borough to select the specific style they preferred.

The borough ultimately decided on what are known as “P-660” style benches, which come in a variety of colors and are made of recycled plastic material for the seating surface and metal legs that are anchored into the ground. The benches are able to accommodate memorial messages engraved into the back rest. Each bench is 6-feet in length.