Two friends on a concrete bench. Concrete benches are super durable and nearly impossible to steal. They stay where they are placed

When people think of concrete benches, they probably conjure up an image of a rectangular cement slab sitting on two concrete blocks.

That's not necessarily the case.

Concrete benches actually come in an incredible array of styles and designs. They are also manufactured in a variety of configurations - some that use recycled plastic bench slats or others that might use treated lumber like a traditional bench.

In essence, concrete benches don't have to be boring.

Stone benches were used for centuries. Concrete benches resemble stone benches.

Park benches have a certain magnetic quality about the

There seems to be a certain charm about a park bench when it comes to bringing folks together. And when checking out park benches for sale, think about the type of bench, but also the people who will be sitting on those planks as well.

Park benches have a magnetic allure that is conducive to one person engaging with another - whether it's in a deep conversation with a friend or an first-time talk with a complete stranger.

This was very evident in a recent project conducted by Neighborhoods Inc., a non-profit organization in Northwest Indiana.

To help foster the interaction of people in their community, the organizers placed a park bench in front of 22 homes in a town of about 30,000 people. They included a sign that read, "Please have a seat."

Their efforts were effective. People now had a reason to stop and chat with the home owner or others in the area.

Neighbors, strollers, joggers, school