One of the best scenes in the critically-acclaimed movie "La La Land" includes a park bench. Photo Credit: Dale Robinette / Lionsgate

When watching awards shows, it's clear that there are so many factors that go into film-making: editing, cinematography, production design, directing, sound, makeup, music, park benches and many other factors are all necessary for the successful, tear-jerking films that we all love.

Park benches? Sure. They are in plenty of hit movies. As writers and directors set the scene, many choose a local park for portraying everyday life in films. No matter the genre—action, mystery, love, comedy, or otherwise—there is one prop that remains constant: the park bench.

A park bench is some

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

Bud Caldwell visits his wife's memorial bench in Lakeside Park every day. But during the winter, the heavy Wisconsin snowfall makes it difficult for him. So on those days, he speaks to her from his car stopped near the park.

That is until two thoughtful park employees noticed him sitting there. They came to Bud's assistance and shoveled a path so he could make his way to the bench and the plaque displaying his wife's photograph.

The story behind Caldwell's routine is truly amazing. Every day for the past two years, the 82-year-old visits the memorial bench he bought to honor his late wife Betty. They spent 56 years together.

He brings a daisy, which he leaves for her to commemorate one of their favorite songs: "Daisy a Day." He also leaves a penny on top of the bench, to honor their other favorite

Source: Resources for the Future surve

What types of challenges do state park directors face? Perhaps they can be solved with a Buy-A-Bench memorial bench or picnic table program.

Resources for the Future, non-profit organization founded in 1952 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., conducted a study a few years ago of state park directors to get an insight into the types of challenges they encounter and how they rank them in terms of minor problems or huge headaches.

The group's mission is to apply economics as a way to develop more effective policies on the use and conservation of natural resources.

Not surprisingly, results from the survey revealed lack of funding as the No. 1 headache. As states have tightened their budgetary belts, it seems the places that many legislators like to pick on are state parks.

According to the