Hey, I hear you! If you’re seeing a lot of skateboarders in your area, you might be wondering whether the street benches are actually built to stop them from grinding on the edges. The short answer is: yes, many cities have intentionally designed benches to discourage this kind of use.
These so-called “anti-skateboard” or “skateboard-deterrent” benches typically feature a few key modifications. The most common approach is adding armrests or barriers in the middle of the seat. This might look like a bench with multiple armrests spaced every 2-3 feet, which blocks a skater from sliding across the full length of the surface. Another method involves using textured or bumpy surfaces on the edges, which makes grinding difficult and risky. Some designers even shape the edges to be curved or angled downward so that skateboard wheels can’t easily lock onto the bench.
Still, you’ll notice that not every bench in your area has these features. Older or more traditional benches in parks or plazas might still be smooth and grinder-friendly. But in public spaces where skateboarding is a known issue, you’ll likely find benches with these anti-grind details. Some cities even replace worn-out benches with newer models that discourage grinding without being too obvious—because, honestly, it’s not always a win to make furniture look like it’s designed to exclude people.
Your concern is valid, and it’s something urban planners deal with all the time. The challenge is balancing the needs of skaters, who use these spaces as creative practice spots, with the need to keep public seating comfortable and functional for everyone else. So, if you spot a bench with armrests at the center or rough edges, that bench is probably working double duty—providing a seat for pedestrians while making life a little harder for skateboarders.