How do you design benches to discourage skateboarding or other misuse?

Designing public benches that discourage skateboarding and other misuse requires careful consideration of both functionality and deterrent features. Urban planners and landscape architects employ several effective strategies to create seating that remains accessible to legitimate users while preventing unwanted activities.

One primary approach involves incorporating anti-skateboarding elements directly into the bench design. Many cities install metal dividers or armrests along the seating surface, typically spaced 24-30 inches apart. These obstructions prevent skateboarders from grinding along the bench edges while still allowing comfortable seating for multiple users. The dividers often feature rounded edges for safety while effectively breaking up the continuous surface that skateboarders seek.

The choice of materials significantly impacts a bench's susceptibility to misuse. While traditional wooden benches offer smooth surfaces ideal for skateboarding, modern alternatives include textured metals, composite materials with rough surfaces, or concrete with intentionally uneven finishes. These materials provide poor traction for skateboard wheels and make grinding maneuvers difficult and unappealing.

Bench geometry plays a crucial role in deterrence. Designers often create slightly slanted seating surfaces or incorporate subtle undulations that make the bench uncomfortable or impractical for skateboarding while remaining functional for sitting. The strategic placement of benches away from smooth paved areas or popular skate routes further reduces their appeal for misuse.

Some municipalities opt for innovative seating solutions that completely reimagine traditional bench designs. Curved benches, individual seating pods, or benches with integrated planters naturally discourage skateboarding through their irregular shapes and interrupted surfaces. These designs maintain public seating functionality while eliminating flat, grindable edges.

It's important to balance security concerns with accessibility and comfort. Effective anti-skateboarding designs should not compromise the bench's primary function or create barriers for elderly or disabled users. Many successful designs incorporate subtle deterrents that are barely noticeable to legitimate users but effectively prevent misuse.

Regular maintenance and strategic placement complement physical design features. Positioning benches in well-lit, highly visible areas with natural surveillance helps deter inappropriate use. Combining thoughtful design with proper urban planning creates public seating that serves its intended purpose while minimizing maintenance costs associated with damage from misuse.

Ultimately, successful bench design requires understanding both user needs and potential misuses. By implementing these strategies, cities can create public spaces that welcome legitimate activities while discouraging behaviors that damage property or create safety concerns. The most effective solutions often integrate multiple approaches, creating seating that is both functional and resistant to misuse through thoughtful design rather than obvious fortification.