That's an excellent question about public safety and infrastructure! As someone who cares about park maintenance, I appreciate your curiosity about how we keep our public benches secure. Park benches are typically anchored using several reliable methods designed to balance security with practical installation.
The most common approach is in-ground concrete anchoring. Installers dig holes, place the bench legs or base plates, and pour concrete around them. This creates a permanent foundation that makes removal nearly impossible without heavy equipment. The concrete embedment depth typically ranges from 18-24 inches, providing substantial resistance against both theft and vandalism.
For surfaces where concrete pouring isn't feasible, surface mounting with expansion bolts offers a solid alternative. Workers drill into existing concrete pads or sidewalks, then use heavy-duty steel anchors that expand as they're tightened. These create tremendous friction that prevents easy removal. Many municipalities now specify tamper-proof fasteners that require special tools for installation and removal.
Some modern designs incorporate the bench directly into concrete formations or use welded steel plates that are then bolted from beneath the surface. This "hidden hardware" approach eliminates visible attachment points that thieves might target.
The specific method chosen depends on local security needs, bench design, and substrate conditions. What's consistent across all quality installations is that proper anchoring serves dual purposes: preventing theft while ensuring benches remain stable and safe for public use for years to come.