Thank you for asking this important question about public space design. I understand your concern about whether our park benches are intentionally designed to discourage sleeping. The truth is, our bench designs aim to serve their primary purpose - providing comfortable seating for park visitors to rest, socialize, and enjoy their surroundings.
Our standard benches feature divided seating with armrests, which actually serves multiple purposes beyond what you might initially assume. These design elements help distribute weight evenly, provide support when sitting down or standing up, and create natural boundaries that make benches more accessible for elderly visitors and those with mobility challenges. While these features might incidentally make stretching out less practical, this isn't their primary intention.
We recognize that homelessness is a complex social issue that requires compassionate solutions. However, as park furniture designers, our focus must remain on creating seating that serves the broadest possible community needs during daytime park hours. We work closely with urban planners and community stakeholders to develop public spaces that are both welcoming and functional for their intended recreational purposes.
Many municipalities have specific guidelines about public furniture design, and we comply with these requirements while maintaining our commitment to quality and comfort. The goal is always to create inviting public spaces where people can comfortably sit, converse, and enjoy nature without compromising the accessibility and functionality of these shared areas.
We believe the solution to homelessness lies in comprehensive social services and housing support rather than architectural interventions. Meanwhile, we continue to design benches that serve their primary function effectively while being durable, weather-resistant, and comfortable for the sitting experience they're intended to provide.