Take a Seat: Tenafly’s Quiet Improvements

Small additions, real impact — why Tenafly’s new benches matter

Earlier this June, Tenafly approved the purchase of several public benches, which will be placed throughout the borough. This builds on last year’s effort to add twelve benches in the downtown area, parks, and green/recreational spaces as part of Ordinance 24-09. While at first glance it might seem like adding a few benches wouldn’t make much of a difference, I actually think this is a great move for our community.

Looking at Tenafly’s development over the past few years, it’s clear that a lot has been done to improve the quality and accessibility of public utilities, recreational areas, and community infrastructure. A logical next step is adding smaller features that still have a noticeable impact on how people experience these public spaces. Public seating, bike stands, improved lighting, and better street signage all help attract more people to Tenafly’s amenities and make their experiences more enjoyable.

Furthermore, when you consider that a significant portion of Tenafly’s residents are senior citizens, these benches become even more important. Giving older residents the ability to rest in popular areas like downtown and our parks makes those places more accessible and welcoming. After years of contributing to this community, the least we can do is make it easier for them to enjoy all that Tenafly has to offer.

Some of these benches are located downtown, near busy bus stops and quality small businesses. Not only do they serve people visiting local businesses or walking through the area, but they also provide seating for those waiting on public transportation. Check them out next time you're passing by.

Maybe these kinds of additions blend into the background to the point where we don’t even notice them until weeks later. But that’s not a bad thing. While it’s important to make our public spaces more accessible and enjoyable, we also need to make sure these changes don’t take away from the character of our neighborhoods. Overdevelopment and rapid modernization can risk erasing the familiar, comfortable feel that makes Tenafly feel like home. As the borough continues to improve its public spaces, we need to strike a balance between preserving that character and adding practical upgrades that support everyday life.

The focus now should be on enhancement, not just addition. New features should respect the community’s existing rhythm, while still adding real, usable value. People don’t mind the new benches because they don’t disrupt anything—they blend into the setting while quietly making it better. They’re useful, but not loud about it. They make it easier for people to enjoy Tenafly’s businesses, parks, and public services.

I'm not saying these benches are a groundbreaking achievement. But they reflect where Tenafly’s public projects are heading. Now that big-ticket items like the pickleball courts and municipal pool are done or underway, it's worth keeping in mind that every new project, big or small, needs to strike that same balance between usefulness and atmosphere.