Concrete bench in a park

When it comes to stopping the theft of outdoor benches, a concrete bench is the heavy alternative of choice.

Recent news reports indicate a trend in stealing park benches or old, wooden benches used in railroad stations or other historic places.

Who steals benches?

Apparently, some people think there is a market for them.

For example, in Springfield, Mass., more than 30 of the town's historic wooden benches were stolen from an old railroad station undergoing renovations.

Hundreds of thousands of people once sat on those old wooden benches in Union Station after it opened in 1926. At one time, it was considered one of the most modern train stations in the US. The station closed in 1973.

However, now the building is being restored as a historic landmark. The organizers plan to feature a restored barber's chair and an antique clock. They even have the old chalkboard where the incoming and outgoing train times were posted. But the historians won't have the original wooden benches unless they can restore a few damaged ones that were left behind. Very sad.

Copenhagen is known for its stylish park benches. In fact, the look is so famous these outdoor site furnishings are referred to as the "Classic Copenhagen Bench." The wooden benches have a sort of Scandinavian/Victorian look to them with wrought iron arms and a combination of green seat planks on a dark grey metal frame.

These benches are so popular in fact, that people are unbolting them and taking them home.

Last year, more than 45 were stolen.

Police figure the thieves are placing them in their backyards for their own personal use. Not a cool thing when you consider the thousands of people in the Danish capital who also might enjoy taking a break and sitting on them.

In other cities across America and around the world, people are pulling up park benches. They either try to sell them on the web, take them home or just destroy them for kicks.

Of course, that leaves their friends and neighbors who visit the park the next day, without a place to sit and relax. Very selfish. And foolish.

But there are ways to fight back.

Consider a Concrete Bench. This site furnishing weigh a ton. Literally.

They are generally moved to a location with a forklift. Then bolted into the ground, either with a surface mount or in-ground mount.

Some cities are actually using a cement bench as a protective barrier to stop any cars or trucks from driving into pedestrian areas. This is in response to several attacks on citizens in different parts of the world by drivers using vehicles. There is a movement with some architectural firms to use commercial site furnishings in the place of bollards to give an area a "friendlier feel" to the public and act as a deterrent at the same time.

Choose an attractive concrete bench

Concrete bench at the City of Daytona Beach building. These durable benches are perfect for coastal environments

Many people might have a misconception that a concrete bench is just be a big block of cement.

That's not the case.

The beauty of a concrete bench is that it can be molded into many shapes.

Some are just a simple backless bench.

Others have a large curved back.

There are several styles that look just like a traditional wooden park bench.

Another creative design element that can be incorporated is mixing a concrete bench frame with a coated metal seat and back.

Or, you can even find a bench with treated wood slats for the seat and back to create a classic old wooden park bench appearance.

While the average cement bench might seem plain, there are actually many different finishes and colors available. For example, you can choose from a Weatherstone or Smooth look with a variety of colors such as Brick Red, Off White, Gray, Black, Buff, Sand, Soulard Green or Orange, to name just a few.

One thing is certain, these benches are not going anywhere.

In fact, the Park and Facilities Catalog has many customers in the southern United States who prefer a concrete bench for their outdoor site furnishings in the event of hurricanes. Unless the storms are super-intense, you don't have to worry about your concrete benches. If anything, a severe wind might tip them over. But that's about it.

Those winds are not going to carry those benches away. Neither are crooks or inconsiderate people who might want those park benches all for themselves.

That's why a concrete bench is a smart alternative for many locations.

Concrete bench is one strategy to prevent thefts and damage to park benches