Memorial bench at a beach. Memorial benches are becoming a more preferred way to honor someone in a community because they are highly visible and add seating amenities to parks or favorite locations
A memorial bench is a perfect way to commemorate someone in your community for a number of reasons.
But let's first talk about two memorial benches that were recently installed at a beach in San Diego.
These benches held special meaning for surfers in the area.
The concrete memorial benches were installed to honor Larry Gordon and Skeeter Malcolm, two surfing legends who literally pioneered the sport in San Diego, probably most of California and were sure to have an influence around the rest of the country.
Gordon, who passed away in 2016 a the age of 76, partnered with friend Floyd Smith to make surfboards back in the 1960s, when surfing was just a fledgling pastime.
They were one of the first surfers to manufacture boards with polyurethane foam, making them easier to ride than clunky wooden boards.
Well, as they say, the rest is history.
The sport took off in San Diego after the pair went on to create a famous surfboard store and factory, the Gordon and Smith surf shop. The factory is now run by brother and sister Eric and Debbie Gordon, and just celebrated its 60th year in business.
Skeeter Malcolm was also a popular surfer in the area and reportedly first started riding waves and hanging ten back in the 1930s.
On May 10, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer proclaimed the day "Gordon and Smith Day" and the two memorial benches were unveiled. The seats are located on a small ridge, appropriately looking out over the ocean at Tourmaline Surfing Park.
The event was ironic in one way. At one point years ago, surfing was actually banned at San Diego beaches. The story goes that Gordon and other members of a local surf club dressed up in suits and persuaded the city council to allow surfing at the beach. It's fitting that the Tourmaline Surf Park where the benches were added was created as a result of that meeting years ago.
"This is a special place, and we're here to honor a very special person (Larry Gordon) who made a huge difference," he said. "This represents the best of our San Diego community."
Because the benches were located at the beach, the city decided to use concrete benches (sometimes referred to as cement benches) to withstand the salt air and sun.
A memorial bench is a fitting tribute for many reasons
Here's the point about a memorial bench.
For one, as you can see from the tribute to the two surfers at the popular beach, these benches are a highly visible reminder of the contribution these men made to the community. How many thousands of people will walk by and view this tribute every year? At all times of the day and night. For 365 days a year. Also included on the benches is a plaque with the man's name and a black and white photo with some commemorative text.
These concrete benches will be in that location for a very, very long time. (Concrete benches are also a smart choice to prevent theft. They generally weigh close to a ton and must be moved with a forklift).
Secondly, a memorial bench provides a place of rest and relaxation for fellow citizens. You could put a plaque up at the beach, but there's no way people can interact with it. And the challenge is, many people might not even notice it.
Metal memorial bench honoring a fallen student
With a memorial bench in plain view, that changes.
In addition, a family that supplies park site furnishings can help a local community provide a more pleasing amenities for their fellow citizens at public places.
Central Park in New York City has a memorial bench program and about 9,000 of their wooden benches were supplied by private donors. The tremendous amount of seating for all the park visitors there is known worldwide.
Another reason to choose a memorial bench is to tailor it to celebrate the particular lifestyle of the person being honored.
For surfers Gordon and Malcolm, locating their memorial at a beach was perfect.
Perhaps a loved one enjoyed a certain park. Talk to the local parks department about locating a park bench at their favorite spot under a tree or overlooking a pond.
Maybe a teacher or youngster had an unfortunate illness. Many schools have installed a memorial bench at a school to honor the loss of a favorite teacher or student.
Memorial benches are available in several different styles
A memorial bench can be ordered in a number of different materials. Commemorative plaques can be added to concrete benches, metal benches, wooden benches or aluminum benches.
Another consideration is price. To build a statue of someone in the community can be cost-prohibitive. Plus, the only creatures sitting on it will be pigeons. But adding a custom message to a bench is relatively inexpensive. Photos of the person being honored can also be added.
The key for any bench is to choose the right material for the environment. Concrete benches are perfect for salt air conditions. Metal benches can be ordered with a thick thermoplastic coating that is UV resistant and impervious to mold, mildew or insects.
There are also a variety of ways to add a memorial message. A metal plaque can be added or the text can be cast-in-place, silk-screened on a concrete bench or actually laser-cut right into the metal.
If you do plan to order a memorial bench, be sure to give yourself extra time for delivery because these benches need customization and can't just be pulled off the shelf and shipped. But some messages can be added quickly. Ask your representative at The Park and Facilities Catalog for all the different options.
As you can see by the fitting and emotional tribute to the two surfers, a memorial bench can really have an impact on a community and over the years, they have become a popular choice for honoring a loved one with your fellow citizens.