Lavallette to Continue Memorial Bench Replacement Program

Lavallette’s new benches are unveiled at a ceremony in November. (Photo: Vicki Centanni Guy/ Lavallette Boardwalk/ Facebook)

More new, clean places to sit are coming to Lavallette’s bayside areas in 2025, as the replacement of dozens of benches will continue as the year moves forward.

Last year, 64 aging wooden benches were replaced, said Councilwoman Joanne Filippone. This year, the same number is expected to be replaced, with 40 of the benches being added to the area near the gazebo along the bay, and the rest distributed up and down the bayfront. The area near the recreation center will also receive new benches.

“We’re probably looking to do about the same number this year as last year,” said Filippone. “The price looks to be about the same.”

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Lavallette’s benches cost about $1,100 each because they need to be built with materials able to withstand the salt spray in the air and heavy enough to remain in place during instances of flooding. Filippone expects the memorial plaques on the benches to drop in cost this year, for reasons unknown.

Borough Administrator John Bennett said at a council meeting this week that his office would begin calling people on a list that have signaled an interest in purchasing a memorial bench for the town. The orders must be placed by July, he said, with the benches themselves expected to be unveiled in time for the borough’s Founders Day, which is scheduled for Sept. 6, 2025.

In other “bench news,” borough council members said benches on the oceanfront may be in need of some repairs – namely, replacing some brackets that keep the armrests in place. The benches are of high quality, though this one part has deteriorated a bit. Seven ocean blocks are currently without benches due to the ongoing beach replenishment project, which has largely ended in Lavallette. The seven blocks without benches are those which will be having its hard-packed sand replaced along the entranceways. After the sand is replaced, the benches will return.