Public works employees could be seen on Tuesday morning installing benches at various locations between Jay Street and Triangle Park — all part of a fundraising initiative created by the city’s planning department.

“There are 27 benches being placed downtown as part of this project,” City Planner Abbey Roberts said. “They will be placed along East Main Street from Jay Street to Triangle Park and along North Vesper Street and Grove Street between Water and Church streets.”

This initiative began in 2024, when Roberts and Planner I Carter Simcox reached out to the Central Mountain High School Construction Trades class to assist with the project.

“There are four being constructed by (Bill) Probst’s Construction Trades class. They also made the first bench in front of the Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. office,” Roberts said.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Two area residents enjoy one of the newly installed benches near Beiter’s along East Main Street in downtown Lock Haven on Tuesday afternoon.

The remainder of the benches are being constructed by the city’s public works staff. While construction trades continue to complete its benches, Roberts said the city-built ones will be installed this week, if the weather cooperates.

“The four currently under construction by the students will be installed when they are completed by the end of the school year,” she said.

The city also partnered with another class at Central Mountain.

“(Jeremy) Schnieder’s Precision Machining Class are fabricating the plaques that will be on the benches to recognize the donor,” Roberts said. “Many people donated a bench in honor of a loved one, or to recognize their family.”

The plaques are expected to be complete by the end of the year and will be installed on their respective benches.

Roberts noted that, at this time, the benches are not stained or painted.

“The wood needs to dry out for about a year to properly absorb the paint or stain,” she said. “Before summer of 2026, the benches will be painted and stained in their finished state.”

The city is also planning to partner with other organizations to create custom paint jobs on some of the benches.

“In cooperation with a local business owner, Brittany Brown, of Pinch-N-Poke Tattoo Studio; the Clinton County Arts Council; and Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., we are also developing a unique painting program for a select number of benches,” Roberts explained.

The idea is currently in development and should take place in 2026. The plan at this time is to get local students involved in painting the benches.

“This will be a wonderful way to get young people involved in the community and bring more art to our downtown,” Roberts said.

Roberts, on behalf of the city, thanked everyone who donated a bench and supported the project in various ways.

“We are excited to bring seating options to downtown to help support our local businesses and improve the walkability of our community,” she said. “These benches were designed to fit around a tree in the streetscaped areas of the city.”

Roberts noted the city is still accepting donations for benches for anyone still interested.

Benches cost $350 and include the cost of a custom plaque.

Anyone who would like to donate a bench can contact Simcox at csimcox@lockhavenpa.gov or call 570-893-5904.

Area residents were quick to take advantage of the newly installed benches on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. One told The Express they were glad to see them, noting they would be beneficial to older residents who walk up and downtown to visit stores and other places in the business district.

Though the bench project is not quite complete, Roberts said the city is already working towards its next project to enhance downtown.

“The next downtown project on the horizon for the city is the installation of restrooms. This is the product of many years of feedback related to lack of public restrooms downtown, including during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Roberts said.

The project is funded by the Community Development Block Grant program and includes the installation of a two-unit restroom in the Main Street parking lot.

“Having publicly available restrooms will promote shopping and dining in our downtown while supporting Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.’s various initiatives,” Roberts said. “We look forward to completing this project by summer of 2026.”