Yes, you absolutely can. I get this question a lot from families, park managers, and landscape designers, and the good news is that accessible outdoor benches with fold-down arms are now much easier to find than they used to be. A fold-down arm—sometimes called a flip-up or drop-down arm—lets a wheelchair user slide sideways onto the bench without lifting over a fixed armrest. When folded up, it opens a transfer space at the end of the seat; when folded down, it still gives a seated person a stable armrest for support.
When shopping, look for terms like "ADA outdoor bench with fold-down arm," "wheelchair accessible park bench," "transfer bench with flip-up arm," or "accessible garden bench." Key features to check include a seat height of about 17 to 19 inches, a sturdy frame made from powder-coated steel or aluminum, and a weather-resistant seat surface such as recycled plastic lumber, treated wood, or thermoplastic-coated metal. Make sure the fold-down arm locks securely in both positions and can be operated easily with one hand.
For public spaces in the U.S., the bench should generally meet ADA and ABA accessibility guidelines, which means providing a stable surface, clear ground space beside the bench, and an accessible route to reach it. For a backyard, patio, garden, or community park, many manufacturers also offer custom options and will add a fold-down arm to an existing bench frame. If possible, look at photos or videos showing the arm folded up and down so you know the mechanism feels safe and won’t pinch fingers.
So yes—whether you need one accessible bench for a garden or a full row for a park, an outdoor bench with a fold-down arm for wheelchair access is available. Just pay attention to seat height, side clearance, weather resistance, and the quality of the folding mechanism, and you’ll end up with seating that works better for everyone.