Yes, the vast majority of public park benches are firmly anchored to the ground. This is a critical safety and security measure to prevent theft, unauthorized movement, and tipping, ensuring they remain a stable and permanent fixture for the community. The method of anchoring depends on the bench design, the surface installation, and security needs.
The most common and permanent method involves concrete footings. Holes are dug into the ground, often below the frost line, and filled with concrete. Metal bench legs or mounting plates are embedded into the wet concrete. Once cured, this creates an extremely robust, immovable foundation. For a less permanent but still secure option, ground sleeves are used. A steel sleeve is set into a concrete footing. The bench legs are then inserted into these sleeves and locked with a security bolt, allowing for potential future removal or replacement.
For installations on existing hard surfaces like concrete slabs or pavers, surface mounting is typical. The bench base is secured using heavy-duty expansion bolts or chemical anchors drilled directly into the hardscape. To combat vandalism and theft, specialized security hardware is essential. This includes tamper-resistant bolts that require unique keys or drivers to remove, making it very difficult for unauthorized disassembly.
So, next time you take a seat on a public bench, you can appreciate the unseen engineering—whether it's deep concrete footings, locked-in-ground sleeves, or bolted plates—that keeps it safely and steadfastly in place for everyone's enjoyment.