Overall, it is estimated that hundreds of benches line the Promenade in Sea Isle City.
Sea Isle City’s Promenade is lined with hundreds of memorial benches, drawing some complaints that the oceanfront walkway is starting to resemble “a cemetery.”
Now, the situation has reached the point where the city is warning the public that it will not allow any more benches to be placed on the Promenade – and if they are, they will be removed immediately.
The city issued a statement this week saying that it has taken an inventory of every bench currently on the Promenade. The inventory is a preliminary step as the city determines “a path forward regarding the current bench situation,” the statement said.
The statement goes on to say that the proliferation of so many benches has resulted in “various challenges and concerns – including complaints that the Promenade now resembles ‘a cemetery’ – and that many of the new benches don’t match the older benches in appearance and have created an unsightly situation.”
Many of the benches are remnants of a program started years ago that allowed families to pay for makeshift memorials that were placed on the Promenade by the city. The program was stopped when space ran out for more benches.
However, over the years, some families have privately hired a contractor to place a bench on the Promenade without the city’s permission.
The city will not allow any new benches now, and is also planning to remove older ones that are deteriorated or considered unsafe.
“Additionally, please be aware that any new benches that appear on the Promenade (or in any other public area) from this time forward will be removed immediately, as will any bench that is in disrepair or deemed unsafe for use,” the statement says.
A walk along the Promenade reveals that some of the wood benches appear rotted in places or are in otherwise rough shape. Some of them have peeling paint on the support braces holding the main part of the benches.
Other benches seem to be in great or good shape. They look like newer ones that appear to be made of a hard, durable material similar to composite plastics.
Many of the benches in Sea Isle are family memorials dedicated to deceased loved ones.In 2022, Sea Isle began considering the possibility of reviving the bench program so that families may be able to memorialize deceased loved ones again.
However, city officials are not sure which way would be the best way to do it. One idea floated in 2022 was to perhaps place as many as three memorial plaques on the benches instead of having each bench reserved for just one family. If need be, the plaques could be rotated to create space for new ones, city officials said then.
Most of the benches are touching tributes by family members in remembrance of deceased loved ones.
“In loving memory of Toni Carlino … Mom Mom,” says one.
Some are inscribed with simple poetry: “Sit for a while. She loved Sea Isle,” says one bench in tribute to Louise Jensen.
Other benches offer a dose of humor: “Sea Isle City is my happy place. How long you gotta be here before you get a drink?” says a bench that includes etchings of two beer mugs surrounding the name of Ray Hughes.
City officials have said in recent years that the memorial benches are popular overall, but have drawn objections at times from some people, including creating a cemetery-like atmosphere on the Promenade.
They have repeatedly said that the goal is to develop a memorial bench program that would be both kind and respectful. That theme was emphasized in the city’s statement this week.
“As we all know, Sea Isle City’s Promenade is lined with many benches – some old, some new – and each one typically is etched with wording that reflects the life of someone who has passed away,” the city’s statement says.
“Without a doubt, we have a wonderful town and obviously many people hold Sea Isle City near and dear to their hearts. Furthermore, city leaders fully understand and appreciate the sentiment that is attached to these benches,” it added.
Margate has memorial benches on the municipal pier at Washington Avenue.Memorial benches have been a popular way for families to remember deceased loved ones in other towns at the Jersey Shore.
Margate has memorial benches on the municipal pier at Washington Avenue. Margate's program includes the installation of a brass plaque on the back of the benches to honor a family member or loved one.
In Ocean City, the city halted placing memorial plaques on benches lining the Boardwalk years ago because of overwhelming demand.
Now, Ocean City allows families to remember their loved ones with engraved memorial brick pavers at local parks.
Cape May has memorial benches lining the oceanfront Promenade, but has wrestled with the challenge of replacing deteriorated benches.
Wildwood is also among the shore towns that have memorial benches on their boardwalks.
