Improvements planned for Onset bandshell, bench planks available for claim

Have a memorial bench at the bandshell in Onset?

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to the Lillian Gregerman Bandshell are estimated to be completed by July 1, 2026, according to the Town of Wareham.

As part of the project, existing bench planks at the bandshell will be removed and made available to former donors, their families and community members on a first-come, first-served basis through the town’s Municipal Maintenance Department. The benches were originally installed in 1996 through a community donation effort.

Due to the age of the program, the town no longer has records identifying the original donors.

The town received a $250,000 grant for the renovations in early January which marks the second renovation the space has seen in recent years.  In 2022, Municipal Maintenance restored the physical band shell structure by replacing rotten boards, added additional supports, painted railings and replaced the stage’s wooden extensions with concrete. 

Individuals interested in claiming a bench name plank must complete a claim form available through Municipal Maintenance and schedule a pickup appointment. Claimants must remove the plank themselves.

Town staff will be present during pickup appointments but will not assist with removal. Once a claim is approved, the plank must be picked up within seven days or it may be made available to another interested party.

The improvements are intended to enhance accessibility and improve the overall visitor experience at the bandshell while preserving its longstanding community significance.

For additional information or to obtain a claim form, contact the Municipal Maintenance Department at wareham.gov.