URBAN BENCHES

Hey—I get the frustration. If you need a park bench with a flat surface that skateboarders can’t grind on, the real trick is to remove any raised lip, edge, or continuous run. A flat seat alone helps, but you also want rounded edges, a textured finish, and a center divider if possible. Look for benches with a flush seat surface and no exposed angle-iron or square tubing. If the seat plane is the outer edge, there’s nothing for a skateboard truck to lock onto. Rounded or bullnose edges are also important because even a square edge on a flat bench can catch a grind. Add a center armrest or seat divider to break the long line skateboarders need. A textured or stippled finish helps too—slick powder coat or polished metal slides, while slightly rough recycled plastic or textured powder coat does not. Some good starting points are Maglin Site Furnishings, DuMor, and Landscape Forms. They make flat-profile benches with rounded edges or optional center dividers. A cast-in-place concrete bench with a flat top, bullnose edges, and a textured surface is another rugged option. Install it flush to the ground with no raised base rail, and avoid placing it next to ledges or stairs that create a natural grind line. That usually solves the problem.