Pubdate: Sun, 05 Aug 2012
Source: New York Post (NY)
Copyright: 2012 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc.
Contact: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/letters/letters_editor.htm
Website: http://www.nypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/296
Author: Gary Buiso

UNFOLDING AN 'ANTI-DRUG' PARK BENCH

A Brooklyn man believes he's sitting on a gold mine.

The brains behind US Patent #6299251 - a foldable park bench - is 
Flatbush resident Sebert Harper, who's aiming to plant his invention 
in parks and subway stations across the city.

"There was a problem - and I am a problem solver," Harper told The Post.

Back in the 90s, Harper, 50, a horticulturist, was working in 
drug-plagued Drew Gardens in the Bronx when necessity became the 
mother of his invention.

"They said you couldn't even put a bench there because of all the 
needles," he recalled.

The nature-lover was determined to find a way for law-abiding folks 
to enjoy the park - but make it less hospitable to troublemakers.

"I came up with the idea, did a sketch, and designed a foldable 
bench," he said. "This helps people use the space and enjoy the environment."

The wood and steel bench weighs about 60 pounds and is secured with a 
chain and lock when the seat is in the "up" position. To sit, the 
seat is simply unlocked, lowered down and bolted to keep it secure in 
the "seated" position.

The invention will likely make him unpopular with bums and pigeons 
alike, as the bench "prevents unwanted individuals and animals from 
sleeping or sitting" when folded, according to the United States 
Patent and Trademark Office, which granted him the patent in 2001.

A prototype resides at a Red Hook Urban Garden Center, and Harper 
said he's now actively looking for investors or city agencies to take 
his project "to the next level."

Harper said the Parks Department, where he once worked as a community 
associate, once expressed interest, but said it didn't have the cash 
to buy any.

Parks spokeswoman Vickie Karp said the agency has had no formal 
discussions with Harper, but that it's "always open to new ideas."

The MTA passed on the design, telling The Post that its mechanical 
component means maintenance, which is costly. "No dice," spokesman 
Kevin Ortiz said.

Each bench costs about $350 to produce, Harper said.

Momentum for his mission was renewed a few months ago, when he put 
his creation on display in Downtown Brooklyn - to the delight of 
borough merchants.

"This is what I want to put in front of my store - it's a beautiful 
design," said Mary Kyle, a Red Hook wine shop owner.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom