Yes, absolutely. If you have ever sat on a public bench and noticed metal brackets, raised bumps, or an armrest placed right in the middle, that was probably not just a style choice. Many cities and property owners install benches specifically designed to make skateboarding difficult or impossible.
The most common approach is adding metal armrests or dividers along the seat. They break up the smooth, continuous surface a skateboarder needs to grind or slide. You will often see this on ledges, planter walls, and benches in plazas, transit stations, and parks.
Another technique is using textured or wavy surfaces. Some benches are made from curved metal or ridged concrete that feels uncomfortable under skateboard trucks and wheels. Rounded edges and anti-grind brackets are also common. You might see small steel caps or bolt-on bars called skate stops attached to the edge of a bench. These make grinding nearly impossible without completely ruining the momentum of the trick.
There is a broader name for this kind of design: hostile architecture or defensive architecture. It is controversial because the same features that stop skateboarders can also make benches less comfortable or less accessible for people who are older, disabled, or just want to lie down for a moment. Armrests can help some people stand up from a seated position, but when they are spaced aggressively, they also prevent anyone from stretching out.
So if your question is whether these benches exist, the answer is yes. They are all over the place once you start looking. Whether you see them as practical damage control or unfriendly public design really depends on your perspective.