Kissing on a park bench has created a crazy tradition at some colleges

An author once wrote that kissing on a park bench "is one of the most fun things to do in a park."

Apparently, there's something to what he says because there are a number of designated "kissing benches" around the world that are famous gathering spots for couples where the smooching often progresses to a marriage proposal.

For some reason, this whole notion of kissing on a park bench is big on college campuses.

At Syracuse University, there's a stone bench donated by the Class of 1912 that somehow developed a reputation as a place where a female student should visit if she wanted to graduate and eventually get married.

Park bench made with concret

Not to be outdone, Florida State University has a kissing bench as well. Legend has it the bench was a place where one of the university administrators would meet his girlfriend for a little "canoodling" in between classes. The couple eventually wed.

There's a plaque with a poem on the bench that reads: "If this bench could talk, oh the stories it would tell, of kisses young and old, if you sit, beware the spell…"

A little side note. If you happen to follow college football, you'll note that Syracuse University and Florida State University happens to be in the same conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference. A very competitive conference. Just saying.

Park benc

Because, another school in the ACC, University of North Carolina, also claims to possess a kissing bench on campus as well. Coincidence?

There's a kissing bench at Northern Illinois University. An article in 1946 claims a female freshman is not going to graduate until she is kissed by an upperclassman on that bench. (Of course, you don't have to be a college professor to figure out who started that rumor).

However, now at NIU, few students seem to know the legend of kissing on that park bench and its implications. In fact, they probably only remember hearing it from the campus tour guide. Hey, if you can use site furnishings effectively as a marketing tool to attract students, then if anything you are teaching students a great lesson about the power of advertising.

Park bench romance in the movies

The popularity of kissing on a park bench has been repeatedly captured on film as well.

There's a famous scene in Annie Hall where Woody Allen makes out with Diane Keaton on a park bench and then becomes smitten with love in his charmingly neurotic way.

In Amsterdam, there's a park bench there where a famous kissing scene was filmed in the movie "The Fault in Our Stars." The scene was so popular, that right after it was released, a crafty individual decided to steal the bench. But then after the thief was blasted in the media, he came to his senses and returned it later.

What's going on? Well, if you ever sat on a park bench under a cool, shady tree, looking at over a pond watching the ducks or near a path watching humans while you contemplate the universe, you will have to admit at times there is something magical going on. That little moment of refuge in a busy city can be downright mystical.

That magic is enhanced if you happen to be sitting on the bench with a special someone.

The lesson here? If you are looking for a romantic moment with an affectionate partner, you don't need to go to a fancy restaurant. Just visit a park bench. There are plenty of married couples who will tell you a kiss there is all it takes.

Note: The Park and Facilities Catalog now has a quick ship ParkExpress program where if you need a park bench in a hurry, the products can be shipped from our facility in just 1-3 days.