Yes, such benches exist, and they fall under the controversial category of "hostile architecture" or "defensive design." These are public spaces intentionally designed to influence behavior by making certain activities uncomfortable or impossible.
You might have seen them without realizing it. Classic park benches now feature individual armrests dividing the seating space. While they offer a perch for a brief rest, their true purpose is to prevent anyone from lying down to sleep. Other variants include benches that are slightly sloped, have segmented seats, or are made from cold, unwelcoming materials like metal.
To deter skateboarding, designers employ different tactics. Ledges and benches may have metal brackets, knobs, or ridges (known as "skatestoppers") bolted along their edges. These physical barriers disrupt the smooth surface needed for grinding. Curved benches or those with unusually shaped seats also remove the straight edges that skateboarders seek.
Proponents argue this design protects property from damage and maintains order, ensuring benches are available for sitting. However, critics strongly condemn it as an anti-human approach that targets vulnerable populations, like the homeless, and unfairly restricts public space use by youth. It's seen as a way to invisibly push social problems out of sight rather than address their root causes.
So, the next time you take a seat in a park, look closer. That bench might be telling you more about what you *can't* do than offering a place to relax.