Volunteer projects

Build Park Benches to Encourage Use of Public Transportation

Submitted by Jenoskay1 on Sat, 09/27/2008 - 11:03.
Last updated on Sat, 01/24/2009 - 10:30.

Vital Stats

 ongoing project
 08/27/2008
 10/27/2008
  500
 15
 Most everything has been donated

Project Photos

The Problem

The purpose of my project is to create benches for use along a busy local road with bus stops. I first thought that something should be done when I saw people standing around waiting for the bus. They were also sitting on the ground or on egg crates. I think that building concrete benches could be a tremendous help to those people that take the bus to get to work, school, or any other reason. It can especially help those who may have back problems or the elderly and so on. If people are uncomfortable, they may choose not to use public transportation which impacts our environment.

Why It's Important

I believe that if people are comfortable using public transportation, that they will drive less, causing less pollution in our air, and the environment in general. If I build these benches maybe more people will begin using public transportation.

The Plan Of Action

First, I contact a local Vo-Tech school, and they agreed to lend me their molds for making concrete benches. Then I contact a local concrete company, and they agreed to donate the concrete and help me pour the molds. I found a warehouse to build the benches, and have friends available to help me create and transport the benches to the final locations. I have not gotten the cedar wood donated yet, but may solicit businesses where these benches will be located to ask for assistance. I may also look to outside sponsorship, which would include a plaque on the bench they sponsor. I am currently working with my local township manager to get the legal OK to proceed. He has assured me that he will find good homes for my benches. I expect this project to take about 120 total service hours. I can only hope that the impact of this will be a growing public transportation ridership, and even though this is just a baby step, I hope this helps our environment.

How Can Others Get Involved?

 
I am creating a project report that would allow anyone else interested to use as a guide to building concrete benches themselves.

Project Updates

01/24/09
Update: Completing these concrete benches turned out to be more time consuming and more expensive than I had originally anticipated. The grant money was put to very good use. I also had more volunteer help than I had hoped for, so that was very good. Hopefully the community will benefit for years to come.

Additional hours volunteered: 118
Additional people involved: 40

Subscribe to updates for this project

Final Grant Update

01/24/09
Jeffrey Smith
Number of people in the organization: All together I had about 40 people involved, at one level or another.
Number of people impacted: Warrington Township has about 20000 residents. If even 1% benefit per year, thats hundreds of people each year.
Describe the impact the grant had: Winning this grant made it possible to proceed with my project. Without this grant, I would have had to petition the township, local businesses and residents for funds to build them.
Project highlights: 1. I learned how to do something totally outside of my comfort zone. 2. I feel like I was personally able to make a difference in my community. 3. People will continue to benefit from these benches over the years.
How did the project unfold and develop? I received permission to build and place two concrete benches along a busy highway in Warrington, PA township. The weather was a challenge because the ground was frozen, and one of the sides of the concrete bench had a chip which needed to be fixed, but everything worked out really well. I've already gotten feedback from the community that they appreciate the benches being there. The township supervisor says he's very pleased with how my project turned out.

Location

Related Causes:
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15
How many people has your project helped?  : 
500
Location(s)



Chalfont, PA, 18914
See map: Google Maps
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The purpose of my project is to create benches for use along a busy local road with bus stops. I first thought that something should be done when I saw people standing around waiting for the bus. They were also sitting on the ground or on egg crates. I think that building concrete benches could be a tremendous help to those people that take the bus to get to work, school, or any other reason. It can especially help those who may have back problems or the elderly and so on. If people are uncomfortable, they may choose not to use public transportation which impacts our environment.
Why is it important to you?: 
I believe that if people are comfortable using public transportation, that they will drive less, causing less pollution in our air, and the environment in general. If I build these benches maybe more people will begin using public transportation.
What's your plan of action?: 
First, I contact a local Vo-Tech school, and they agreed to lend me their molds for making concrete benches. Then I contact a local concrete company, and they agreed to donate the concrete and help me pour the molds. I found a warehouse to build the benches, and have friends available to help me create and transport the benches to the final locations. I have not gotten the cedar wood donated yet, but may solicit businesses where these benches will be located to ask for assistance. I may also look to outside sponsorship, which would include a plaque on the bench they sponsor. I am currently working with my local township manager to get the legal OK to proceed. He has assured me that he will find good homes for my benches. I expect this project to take about 120 total service hours. I can only hope that the impact of this will be a growing public transportation ridership, and even though this is just a baby step, I hope this helps our environment.
How Can Others Help?: 
I am creating a project report that would allow anyone else interested to use as a guide to building concrete benches themselves.


Total hours volunteered (to date): 
15
Start Date: 
08/27/2008
End Date: 
10/27/2008
Money Raised: 
Most everything has been donated

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Why is it important to you?: 
I believe that if people are comfortable using public transportation, that they will drive less, causing less pollution in our air, and the environment in general. If I build these benches maybe more people will begin using public transportation.
What's your plan of action?: 
First, I contact a local Vo-Tech school, and they agreed to lend me their molds for making concrete benches. Then I contact a local concrete company, and they agreed to donate the concrete and help me pour the molds. I found a warehouse to build the benches, and have friends available to help me create and transport the benches to the final locations. I have not gotten the cedar wood donated yet, but may solicit businesses where these benches will be located to ask for assistance. I may also look to outside sponsorship, which would include a plaque on the bench they sponsor. I am currently working with my local township manager to get the legal OK to proceed. He has assured me that he will find good homes for my benches. I expect this project to take about 120 total service hours. I can only hope that the impact of this will be a growing public transportation ridership, and even though this is just a baby step, I hope this helps our environment.
How Can Others Help?: 
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See map: Google Maps
What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
The purpose of my project is to create benches for use along a busy local road with bus stops. I first thought that something should be done when I saw people standing around waiting for the bus. They were also sitting on the ground or on egg crates. I think that building concrete benches could be a tremendous help to those people that take the bus to get to work, school, or any other reason. It can especially help those who may have back problems or the elderly and so on. If people are uncomfortable, they may choose not to use public transportation which impacts our environment.
Why is it important to you?: 
I believe that if people are comfortable using public transportation, that they will drive less, causing less pollution in our air, and the environment in general. If I build these benches maybe more people will begin using public transportation.
What's your plan of action?: 
First, I contact a local Vo-Tech school, and they agreed to lend me their molds for making concrete benches. Then I contact a local concrete company, and they agreed to donate the concrete and help me pour the molds. I found a warehouse to build the benches, and have friends available to help me create and transport the benches to the final locations. I have not gotten the cedar wood donated yet, but may solicit businesses where these benches will be located to ask for assistance. I may also look to outside sponsorship, which would include a plaque on the bench they sponsor. I am currently working with my local township manager to get the legal OK to proceed. He has assured me that he will find good homes for my benches. I expect this project to take about 120 total service hours. I can only hope that the impact of this will be a growing public transportation ridership, and even though this is just a baby step, I hope this helps our environment.
How Can Others Help?: 
I am creating a project report that would allow anyone else interested to use as a guide to building concrete benches themselves.


Total hours volunteered (to date): 
15
Start Date: 
08/27/2008
End Date: 
10/27/2008
Money Raised: 
Most everything has been donated

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Comments

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forservice says:
 

I like your project because it serves a good purpose and can encourage more people to use public transport.

The Mason Neck Lions Club in Lorton, Virginia would like to build and install park benches at bus stops where no benches are available.

Where can I purchase the mold for casting concrete benches? I searched the internet but could not locate a source for the molds to cast the bench supports.

Thank you for your assistance.

Lion Joe Chudzik