Update on the Central Park Bench Project
 
August 2007

We did reach our goal!!

The money has been sent in to the Central Park Conservancy and it is in the works!  Rosemarie got an e-mail from the woman at the Conservancy shortly before the con.  She sent her the "proof" of the inscription and she had to give her the approval that it was as we wanted it.  She was also looking for a location.  Rosemarie is planning to have a formal announcement of some sort when she gets word that it is finished.
 
The winning inscription was - by overwhelming fan votes:
 
"Even the greatest darkness is nothing,
so long as we share the light."
Beauty and the Beast (TV) 1987-1990
Dedicated by its devoted fans.

 

 

For those who contributed to this project

How it began.....

Central Park Bench Project

During the Denver convention a group of fans presented a panel on fandomwide projects. Because not everyone was able to make it to the convention, we thought we'd also post the information to the B&B lists so that fans could see what projects other fans are working on, in hopes that some might be inspired to get involved in one or more project in some way.
The opportunities to get involved range from making suggestions to checking through your B&B memorabilia to volunteering to transcribe episodes to scanning fanfic for online posting to creating content for an upcoming online B&B celebration to...well, there's so much to do, and we would all benefit from each fan's involvement with these projects.
We have to keep The Dream alive for each other, after all! The first project we want to highlight is the drive to gather funds for a bench in Central Park dedicated to Beauty and the Beast. Please read the information provided below. One item of interest which is not in the handout is that we are nearly half-way to our goal! Brooke Rodriguez of Carousel and Caverns (the fan group in Los Angeles) had been holding several thousand dollars donated by fans several years ago to buy a star on the Walk of Fame for Ron Perlman.
Since that drive began, the cost of a star has skyrocketed and Brooke has indicated it's unlikely that we could get a star for Ron. So an idea was presented to the fans at the Denver con during closing ceremonies: would everyone agree to transfer the money Brooke was holding to the Central Park bench project? By acclamation, the fans in Denver voted to do so.
But...we're still only half-way there. Please read the information below and consider contributing or at least suggesting language for the plaque!
JoAnn
 
[Front of flyer]
Imagine for a moment… A Bench in Central Park Dedicated to Beauty & the Beast It could happen…with your help! You ask, how? The Central Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization established approximately 20 years ago. It is responsible for revitalizing the park from its former run down state into the beautiful, lush, green respite from the hustle and bustle of the city it is today.
The money the conservancy needs to care for the park comes from private donations and the various programs they offer. One such program is their "Adopt a Bench" program. Through this program, anyone can pay to adopt a bench in one of several styles and locations in Central Park. The cost will ensure that the bench is cared for…FOREVER…that is, the life of the park itself! Once adopted, there will be a metal plaque placed in a prominent position on the bench with any inscription the adopter chooses.
The cost is $7,500. – a lot of money, to be sure – but think of it this way - it would only take 150 fans giving $50 each to accomplish the goal of having a beautiful and permanent tribute to the show that we love so much in the most appropriate place on earth! Ideally, our goal is to have this project completed in time for the 2008 Beauty & the Beast convention in New Jersey/New York.
At that time, we will visit the Park as a group to see "our" bench.