About the Wooster Square Park Benches - Restoration was the Key

It was 2015 and over the years the effects of weather, age, and wear and tear had taken a toll on the park benches. It had been decades since they last had a complete renovation or replacement. The company that had made the then-current benches was no longer in business. 

So the Historic Wooster Square Association, in cooperation with the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees, undertook a project to bring them back to like-new condition: the cast iron was sandblasted down to bare metal, received a zinc-rich primer coat and was finished with a very durable black powdercoat. The wood slats were replaced with new ipe wood and fastened with stainless steel hardware.

The cost of sponsorship – $1,500 per bench – covered the cost of removing the existing bench, restoring it, placing a plaque on the bench in recognition of the donor or donors, and reinstalling the bench. 

Donors – who could purchase a full bench, a half bench or even a quarter – had reasonable latitude in choosing the wording for their plaque. Selection of the location of the bench and plaque was chosen on a first come, first choice basis.

The 22 restored benches were installed on March 22, 2017, and an official celebration was held on June 12, 2017. The project had been initiated by the late Beverly Carbonella, a long-time resident of Wooster Square who also co-founded the Cherry Blossom Festival.

There are spaces that could accommodate more benches. Stay tuned!