That's an excellent question about public safety and infrastructure! Park benches are secured using several professional methods that balance security with accessibility for maintenance.
The most common technique involves embedding the bench legs in concrete footings. Contractors dig holes 2-3 feet deep, place the bench legs in position, and pour concrete around them. This creates a permanent anchor that's extremely difficult to remove without heavy equipment. For added security, many installations use specialized anchor bolts that require custom tools to remove, deterring casual theft attempts.
Many modern benches feature tamper-resistant hardware with unique bolt heads that standard tools cannot remove. These special fasteners might have star-shaped patterns, spanner holes, or other proprietary designs that prevent unauthorized disassembly. Additionally, some municipalities use epoxy-coated steel cables that run through the bench frame and are buried deep underground.
In high-theft areas, you might find benches with welded plates that bolt directly to pre-installed concrete pads. The welding makes disassembly nearly impossible without angle grinders or other industrial tools. Interestingly, some cities have moved toward using heavier, more substantial bench designs that are inherently difficult to move rather than relying solely on anchoring systems.
Regular maintenance crews typically inspect these installations every 6-12 months, checking for loose bolts or signs of tampering. This multi-layered approach - combining physical anchoring with tamper-resistant hardware - has proven highly effective in preventing bench theft while allowing authorized personnel to perform necessary maintenance when required.