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OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

78 points by samwillis 3y ago

sircastor 3y ago
I thought about dedicating a bench in the name of my dad. He was cremated and I struggled with what to do with his ashes (and scattering them was an odd adventure on its own). A bench seems like a nice way to remember someone without taking up a plot of land somewhere.
- edent 3y ago
  That's a lovely idea.
- andrewshadura 3y ago
  We installed a bench when my grandmother died. Since memorial benches is not a thing in the country we come from, we installed one in the UK in a place she liked visiting.
unnervingduck 3y ago
On their about page: >OpenStreetMap has a list of (nearly) every bench in the world – but they don’t record whether there is an inscription on it. Weird since OpenStreetMap does have an inscription=* key, which could be combined with the historic=memorial and memorial=bench tags. So what the site does could very well be achieved with OpenStreetMap alone.
- globular-toast 3y ago
  I've personally added inscriptions to the Map because I noticed other people had. I assumed, therefore, the data was coming from OSM. Then I noticed they have pictures of the benches too.
  - intrasight 3y ago
    There are lots of memorial benches around where I am. After reading your comment, I decided to go look at an example photo. Randomly zoomed in to Seville, Spain and click on one. https://openbenches.org/bench/4860 https://openbenches.org/bench/4860 Wow - what a bench! Not at all what I was expecting. Then I went to Rome, Italy and the reverse happened. Just a normal bench. https://openbenches.org/bench/11382 https://openbenches.org/bench/11382 https://openbenches.org/bench/11382 https://openbenches.org/bench/11382
    - twic 3y ago
      That is the gardens of the Alcazar, a very impressive royal palace. Well worth a visit if you're in town. https://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_masters/5169339660 https://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_masters/5169339660 https://packmeto.com/alcazar-seville/ https://packmeto.com/alcazar-seville/
  - Ajedi32 3y ago
    You can link to images in OSM too[1], but you need to find a place to actually host the files. So far the best option seems to be to upload the images to the Wikimedia commons and then link from OSM using the wikimedia_commons tag[2], though the UX of that is pretty awkward. [1]: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:image https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:image [2]: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:wikimedia_commons https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:wikimedia_commons
- NoboruWataya 3y ago
  I understood that to mean not that OSM can't record that information, just that it doesn't - I assume people tend not to include that level of detail when contributing to OSM. So the benefit of this site is that it focuses contributor's attention on the inscription and prompts them to include it. It's a cool idea - I wonder if they feed the data back up to OSM. If not they (or someone) presumably could easily enough. Also interesting and linked from their About page is https://openplaques.org/ https://openplaques.org/
  - Rygian 3y ago
    A general tendence in OSM is that things that "aren't mapped" will end up being mapped. For example, natural=tree was originally intended for notable trees only, but if you look at the map today you'll see each individual tree mapped on parks, boulevards, picnic sites, regardless of its notability. So in OSM, it's not that it can't record, or that it doesn't record. It's always that not many mappers haven't yet focused on the topic.
- alexmuller 3y ago
  There's some recent good news about this in a GitHub issue: https://github.com/openbenches/openbenches.org/issues/232 https://github.com/openbenches/openbenches.org/issues/232
- edent 3y ago
  I'm one of the people behind OpenBenches. When I wrote that page (6 years ago) there was no easy way to add inscriptions to benches. I'm happy that has changed and we now have a signed agreement with OSM to allow them to reuse our data.
  - unnervingduck 3y ago
    That's awesome! Benefits of open licenses, it's a win-win for both parties.
  - cowsandmilk 3y ago
    For those looking, https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:memorial%3Dbench# https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:memorial%3Dbench# has an example for how to map a memorial bench with an inscription:
- pacificpendant 3y ago
  A long time ago, so the details are vague and may have changed, I was interested in adding trees and tagging their species in OSM. I asked some people that know more about OSM than me and was told that OSM doesn't want to store data that isn't used for rendering the maps. There are sometimes links to external data in OSM using Wikidata for example.
  - mpawelski 3y ago
    Really? There are OSM wiki articles that describes how to tag tree species [0]. The usage also seems to be pretty high [1]. [0] https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:species https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:species [1] https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/keys/species#chronology https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/keys/species#chronology
  - habi 3y ago
    The standard layer on osm.org (OSM Carto) does render trees/forests differently, depeding how the trees are tagged. Search for 'leaftype' on https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Category:OSM_Carto_rendering_examples https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Category:OSM_Carto_rende... to see for yourself.
vidarh 3y ago
My favourite one is already on there: https://openbenches.org/bench/5849 https://openbenches.org/bench/5849 "Nina Theresa Jenkinson 4th of May 1959 - 5th May 2017 She took pleasure in annoying the fisherman by feeding the ducks" (it's by a private fishing lake within a public park; I don't know if she just liked feeding the ducks (but she could've done that many other places nearby) or if it was a passive aggressive demonstration against catch and release fishing, or against having a private lake there, but either way I find the inscription is memorable)
- dairylee 3y ago
  My favourite is on there also: https://openbenches.org/bench/198 https://openbenches.org/bench/198 "In memory of jam sandwiches with all my love"
edent 3y ago
Lovely to see our work on HN. We are looking for supporters to keep us going. You can donate with GitHub sponsors, OpenCollective, or by buying a T-shirt https://openbenches.org/support https://openbenches.org/support Of course, the best way to help is to submit a photo :-)
- flipbrad 3y ago
  On a scale of 1-10, how silly do you think it is that sites like your will likely have to comply with the 270+ page Online Safety Bill if you get a "significant number" of UK users? https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/online-safety-bill-open-letter/ https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/online-safety-bill-open-let... https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/frequently-asked-questions/ https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/frequently-asked-questions/
kawsper 3y ago
There's a lot of memorial benches missing in the area I'm staying at in Malvern, UK. But I found out that C.S Lewis have a bench dedicated to him by the local theatre.
martinpw 3y ago
How does one go about donating and dedicating a bench? Obviously depends on country, location etc. Just looking for general pointers.
- edent 3y ago
  Usually speak to your local council. Or whoever controls the local park. Some places have too many benches and operate a waiting list. Costs vary - some places just charge the price of the plaque, others expect yearly maintenance.
FearNotDaniel 3y ago
Went looking for Rik Mayall's bench in Hammersmith, London. Wasn't disappointed: https://openbenches.org/bench/5558 https://openbenches.org/bench/5558 Noticed there is only one bench posted in my current home city, will keep an eye out during lunchtime wanderings and post a few later... nice idea.
- jordanrobinson 3y ago
  I went looking for and found this one: https://openbenches.org/bench/14519 https://openbenches.org/bench/14519 I do wonder if they're going to have to update it at some point though.
Alakrintis 3y ago
Gonna be my new hobby !
- edent 3y ago
  I'll warn you now - it'll ruin every future holiday ;-)
twic 3y ago
I was going to tease you by suggesting adding the memorial plaques on Swanage Pier, of which there are thousands, but i see someone has in fact already added the benches!
- edent 3y ago
  There have been some very long days trekking through promenades, botanic gardens, and graveyards. Rewarding though. And we even have a leaderboard as an incentive.
jdeve1op 3y ago
Also https://virtusaga.com https://virtusaga.com, my hobby project since 2019. Maybe could merge these two. Sorry for hijacking :)
- edent 3y ago
  If you're happy to share your data, were happy to incorporate it. My contact details are on https://edent.tel/ https://edent.tel/

78 points by samwillis 3y ago

I thought about dedicating a bench in the name of my dad. He was cremated and I struggled with what to do with his ashes (and scattering them was an odd adventure on its own). A bench seems like a nice way to remember someone without taking up a plot of land somewhere.

edent 3y ago
That's a lovely idea.
andrewshadura 3y ago
We installed a bench when my grandmother died. Since memorial benches is not a thing in the country we come from, we installed one in the UK in a place she liked visiting.

unnervingduck 3y ago

On their about page: >OpenStreetMap has a list of (nearly) every bench in the world – but they don’t record whether there is an inscription on it. Weird since OpenStreetMap does have an inscription=* key, which could be combined with the historic=memorial and memorial=bench tags. So what the site does could very well be achieved with OpenStreetMap alone.

globular-toast 3y ago
I've personally added inscriptions to the Map because I noticed other people had. I assumed, therefore, the data was coming from OSM. Then I noticed they have pictures of the benches too.
- intrasight 3y ago
  There are lots of memorial benches around where I am. After reading your comment, I decided to go look at an example photo. Randomly zoomed in to Seville, Spain and click on one. https://openbenches.org/bench/4860 https://openbenches.org/bench/4860 Wow - what a bench! Not at all what I was expecting. Then I went to Rome, Italy and the reverse happened. Just a normal bench. https://openbenches.org/bench/11382 https://openbenches.org/bench/11382 https://openbenches.org/bench/11382 https://openbenches.org/bench/11382
  - twic 3y ago
    That is the gardens of the Alcazar, a very impressive royal palace. Well worth a visit if you're in town. https://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_masters/5169339660 https://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_masters/5169339660 https://packmeto.com/alcazar-seville/ https://packmeto.com/alcazar-seville/
- Ajedi32 3y ago
  You can link to images in OSM too[1], but you need to find a place to actually host the files. So far the best option seems to be to upload the images to the Wikimedia commons and then link from OSM using the wikimedia_commons tag[2], though the UX of that is pretty awkward. [1]: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:image https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:image [2]: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:wikimedia_commons https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:wikimedia_commons
NoboruWataya 3y ago
I understood that to mean not that OSM can't record that information, just that it doesn't - I assume people tend not to include that level of detail when contributing to OSM. So the benefit of this site is that it focuses contributor's attention on the inscription and prompts them to include it. It's a cool idea - I wonder if they feed the data back up to OSM. If not they (or someone) presumably could easily enough. Also interesting and linked from their About page is https://openplaques.org/ https://openplaques.org/
- Rygian 3y ago
  A general tendence in OSM is that things that "aren't mapped" will end up being mapped. For example, natural=tree was originally intended for notable trees only, but if you look at the map today you'll see each individual tree mapped on parks, boulevards, picnic sites, regardless of its notability. So in OSM, it's not that it can't record, or that it doesn't record. It's always that not many mappers haven't yet focused on the topic.
alexmuller 3y ago
There's some recent good news about this in a GitHub issue: https://github.com/openbenches/openbenches.org/issues/232 https://github.com/openbenches/openbenches.org/issues/232
edent 3y ago
I'm one of the people behind OpenBenches. When I wrote that page (6 years ago) there was no easy way to add inscriptions to benches. I'm happy that has changed and we now have a signed agreement with OSM to allow them to reuse our data.
- unnervingduck 3y ago
  That's awesome! Benefits of open licenses, it's a win-win for both parties.
- cowsandmilk 3y ago
  For those looking, https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:memorial%3Dbench# https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:memorial%3Dbench# has an example for how to map a memorial bench with an inscription:
pacificpendant 3y ago
A long time ago, so the details are vague and may have changed, I was interested in adding trees and tagging their species in OSM. I asked some people that know more about OSM than me and was told that OSM doesn't want to store data that isn't used for rendering the maps. There are sometimes links to external data in OSM using Wikidata for example.
- mpawelski 3y ago
  Really? There are OSM wiki articles that describes how to tag tree species [0]. The usage also seems to be pretty high [1]. [0] https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:species https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:species [1] https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/keys/species#chronology https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/keys/species#chronology
- habi 3y ago
  The standard layer on osm.org (OSM Carto) does render trees/forests differently, depeding how the trees are tagged. Search for 'leaftype' on https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Category:OSM_Carto_rendering_examples https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Category:OSM_Carto_rende... to see for yourself.

vidarh 3y ago

My favourite one is already on there: https://openbenches.org/bench/5849 https://openbenches.org/bench/5849 "Nina Theresa Jenkinson 4th of May 1959 - 5th May 2017 She took pleasure in annoying the fisherman by feeding the ducks" (it's by a private fishing lake within a public park; I don't know if she just liked feeding the ducks (but she could've done that many other places nearby) or if it was a passive aggressive demonstration against catch and release fishing, or against having a private lake there, but either way I find the inscription is memorable)

dairylee 3y ago
My favourite is on there also: https://openbenches.org/bench/198 https://openbenches.org/bench/198 "In memory of jam sandwiches with all my love"

edent 3y ago

Lovely to see our work on HN. We are looking for supporters to keep us going. You can donate with GitHub sponsors, OpenCollective, or by buying a T-shirt https://openbenches.org/support https://openbenches.org/support Of course, the best way to help is to submit a photo :-)

flipbrad 3y ago
On a scale of 1-10, how silly do you think it is that sites like your will likely have to comply with the 270+ page Online Safety Bill if you get a "significant number" of UK users? https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/online-safety-bill-open-letter/ https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/online-safety-bill-open-let... https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/frequently-asked-questions/ https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/frequently-asked-questions/

kawsper 3y ago

There's a lot of memorial benches missing in the area I'm staying at in Malvern, UK. But I found out that C.S Lewis have a bench dedicated to him by the local theatre.

martinpw 3y ago

How does one go about donating and dedicating a bench? Obviously depends on country, location etc. Just looking for general pointers.

edent 3y ago
Usually speak to your local council. Or whoever controls the local park. Some places have too many benches and operate a waiting list. Costs vary - some places just charge the price of the plaque, others expect yearly maintenance.

FearNotDaniel 3y ago

Went looking for Rik Mayall's bench in Hammersmith, London. Wasn't disappointed: https://openbenches.org/bench/5558 https://openbenches.org/bench/5558 Noticed there is only one bench posted in my current home city, will keep an eye out during lunchtime wanderings and post a few later... nice idea.

jordanrobinson 3y ago
I went looking for and found this one: https://openbenches.org/bench/14519 https://openbenches.org/bench/14519 I do wonder if they're going to have to update it at some point though.

Alakrintis 3y ago

Gonna be my new hobby !

edent 3y ago
I'll warn you now - it'll ruin every future holiday ;-)

twic 3y ago

I was going to tease you by suggesting adding the memorial plaques on Swanage Pier, of which there are thousands, but i see someone has in fact already added the benches!

edent 3y ago
There have been some very long days trekking through promenades, botanic gardens, and graveyards. Rewarding though. And we even have a leaderboard as an incentive.

jdeve1op 3y ago

Also https://virtusaga.com https://virtusaga.com, my hobby project since 2019. Maybe could merge these two. Sorry for hijacking :)

edent 3y ago
If you're happy to share your data, were happy to incorporate it. My contact details are on https://edent.tel/ https://edent.tel/