Great question. Yes, many urban benches can absolutely be anchored into grass or soil without needing a hard surface like concrete or pavement. It all depends on the type of bench and the anchoring system used.
For grass and soil installations, look for benches designed with ground anchor plates or long metal stakes (often called "earth anchors" or "ground spikes"). These are driven deep into the soil to provide stability. Typically, the bench legs have pre-drilled holes or flanges that allow you to secure them with these stakes. Once installed, the bench sits flush on the ground, and the anchoring elements are hidden beneath the surface.
There are also surface-mount benches that use longer, angled screws or "turf screws" that dig into the soil without needing a concrete base. For high-traffic or windy areas, some models require a small concrete collar (about 12 inches deep) to prevent shifting, but this is still much less invasive than a full concrete pad.
The key advantage of anchoring directly into grass or soil is that it preserves the natural landscape. You avoid creating heat islands from concrete, and the bench becomes part of the green space. However, make sure the soil is compact enough—loose, sandy soil may require additional ground stabilizers.
In short: yes, choose a bench with ground anchoring hardware, and you can install it in any grassy or soft ground area. Just avoid spots prone to severe erosion or water pooling.