Concrete picnic tables are virtually theft-proof and vandal-proo
Jimmy Breslin once said, "The number one rule of thieves is that nothing is too small to steal." Still, who would want to steal a used picnic table from a public park? Apparently several people, as you will see.
That's why it just might be smart to add concrete picnic tables to a park or any location where some people have a warped respect for property. They respect the property so much, they want to make it their own.
Speaking of smarts, or a lack thereof, police are on the lookout for one thief in Wexford County, Michigan who allegedly made off with several picnic tables from one park but failed to realize his portrait would soon be all over local TV and in local newspapers.
His photo was distributed to the press after it was picked up by a surveillance camera. Also included in the photo was a nice color shot of his truck…and the license plate number.
"I find it very disgraceful that people have no more consideration for anybody than to remove the picnic tables that are a necessity for parks," said Lenawee County commissioner Cletus Smith.
Absolutely. Think of all the families that went to Gerber Hill Park only to find out someone decided they wanted to take off with six picnic tables, all for their own little party.
In another case, a thief stole a lone picnic table from behind the New Era One-Room School Museum built in 1884 in West Virginia.
Thousands of Wood County school children reportedly tour the museum every year and that one picnic table was a highly-used resting spot for the youngsters.
An exasperated museum spokesperson wrote: "We struggle to keep the lights on and the gas bills paid. The picnic table you took from us was used during the recess part of our program to put wood toys, checkers, marble games, etc. for the boys and girls to play with. As it would have taken two men and a boy to have even moved the picnic tables, we will gladly assist you in returning it, or we will come and pick it up, no questions asked."
That's low. If the museum uses a picnic table that frequently, again, perhaps concrete picnic tables would be a better alternative. Not only are they difficult to move (they basically require a forklift to deliver), but they can also withstand all that use by hundreds of local children.
Concrete picnic tables tend to stay in one place
In another instance of picnic table larceny, a love-struck former U.S. Marine decided to remove a picnic table from a park where he first kissed the love of his life and she stole his heart.
He decided he wanted to propose to her in a special way. Since he wasn't able to pop the question in an exotic location like Paris, he planned to do something exciting to make the event memorable.
Polished concrete picnic tabl
So he stole the picnic table and painted it purple, his girlfriend's favorite color.
Honorably, he sent an e-mail to city officials saying he would return the picnic table, listing the exact hour and date. He just wanted to borrow it as a prop when he proposed.
According to news reports, his proposal read: "A bench will be stolen. A question will be asked. A ring will be given. And eternity will begin."
Very nice. Of course, his girlfriend wasn't the only one interested in his proposal. So were the local police.
But his "borrowing" of the picnic table had a positive result. When his girlfriend, who he knew since the sixth grade, saw the familiar picnic table with the candles and a bottle of champagne surrounded by tiki torches, she said "yes."
The marine promised her he would return the picnic table, remove the paint and perhaps make a donation to the park for its use.
Again, if the picnic table was a concrete picnic table, then it would have been easier for the smitten marine to bring his girlfriend to the park rather than a piece of the park to his girlfriend. And, there wouldn't be any need to kick off an engagement with an explanation to the local police.
However, he certainly had a legitimate excuse.
Concrete picnic tables are made with a sturdy, tough cement mixture that helps them withstand all sorts of nonsense. And then the materials are covered with a watertight seal finish to make them even more durable. They are made to last. They are virtually impossible to steal. They have very little scrap value if dissembled. The finish is tough and a deterrent for vandals who perhaps are thinking of carving their names into the furnishings. Little maintenance is required.
And, they can also take whatever Mother Nature throws at them in terms of rain, snow, sleet, hail, ice, wind, hot temperatures, etc.
As you can see, sometimes people have other plans for picnic tables. With concrete, their options are very limited. Same with harsh weather such as Old Man Winter.
That's why concrete picnic tables are perfectly suited to do the job they are supposed to do - provide a nice and enduring outdoor dining space for any park, restaurant, shopping center, office complex, school, apartment complex or even individual residence.
Here's the marine's romantic picnic table story
Here's the story on the park thief.
Note: As you can imagine, shipping for concrete picnic tables is higher than plastic picnic tables or wood picnic tables for example. Also a forklift is required for off-loading and placement. Be sure to speak with one of our expert representatives to assist you.