Photo gallery: ‘Benchies’ pics celebrate sweet seats at HCT properties

We asked, you sat, and the “benchie” photos poured in! Turns out that everyone likes to take a break and take a seat when they’re out exploring a beautiful Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) property. Many thanks to all the folks who sent in pics of those relaxing outdoor moments on HCT benches.

Taking a break on an HCT bench! Photo courtesy Caitlin Daley

The simple pleasures of a comfy perch with a fine view brought to mind this quote from Maya Angelou: “Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. We need hours of aimless wandering or spates of time sitting on park benches, observing the mysterious world of ants and the canopy of treetops.”

All HCT bench construction follows a tried and true design developed by Colin Leonard, a member of HCT’s Board of Trustees. Leonard, a well-known general contractor, said the original concept came from an influential volume, “Handbook of Landscape Architectural Construction,” edited by noted landscape architect Jot D. Carpenter, who was also an Ohio State University professor and a National Park Service consultant.

Many of these super seats are crafted by the woodworking wizards from the Chatham-Harwich Newcomers Club, under the direction of Steve Patzman and Jonas Robinson. They are put in place by hardworking HCT volunteers, who never sit down on the job, with the guidance of HCT Director of Land Stewardship Connor O’Brien. We are grateful to everyone who lends a hand to create the coolest roosts on Cape Cod!

And let’s keep those benchie photos coming! The next time you are relaxing and reflecting on a well-placed HCT bench, take a benchie photo and send it to eric@harwichconservationtrust.org.

Group portraits are great, too–the only rule is there’s got to be an awesome HCT bench in the pic, providing humble but heroic support. Remember, a bench a day keeps the stress away!

Photo gallery: Enjoy these HCT benchie photos, contributed by folks who don’t mind sitting down on the job every once in a while.

—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.