The Restoration of Duane Park The restoration design that Friends of Duane Park proposed was created by Signe Nielsen, a distinguished landscape architect and Duane Park neighbor. The design finally won approval from the essential authorities - the New York City Parks Department, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Fine Arts Commission - after nearly two years of discussions. The restoration was completed during 1999. The restoration of Duane Park aims to capture the spirit of the Parsons and Vaux design of 1887. To accomplish this: Duane Park's planted areas have been expanded. The enlarged planting areas include evergreen hedges, flowering shrubs, ferns, perennials, and flowering evergreen ground cover. Planted areas are graded to ensure drainage. Fifteen "world's-fair" style benches replace the battered benches of the past. These new benches are set along a curved pathway running through the park from east to west. The area under the benches is paved with cobblestones salvaged from the old park. Three handsome historic streetlights have been installed to replace the undistinguished lights that used to illuminate the park. The old fencing, which was bent and broken and did not completely enclose the planting areas, has been replaced with new fencing that is more attractive and encircles the planting areas to keep out four-legged visitors. The oversized flagpole base has been scaled down and incorporated into one of the planting areas. To replace the incomplete and not totally accurate inscription on the flagpole base, two commemorative plaques have been placed beside the entrance gate. They give visitors to the park an overview of its long history.