When most people hear the words, park bench, they envision one of two things - someone sitting at the local park feeding the pigeons or Forest Gump. No matter what your mind conjures up, park benches have been popular for a long time and will continue to be a place where people can sit down and relax while visiting the park or zoo.

Typically, park benches are made from wood or concrete simply because they are sturdy, durable, and look nice. However, manufacturers are coming up with new designs all the time that are functional, comfortable, and affordable. As more and more parks are trying to do things to clean up and enhance the beauty of the park, they are swapping out the older model park benches for something more appealing.

Keep in mind that while park benches are most commonly used in parks and zoos, they are also used at bus stops, hospitals, schools, shopping malls, golf courses, corporations, rental properties, associations and so on.

One option that is considered for these locations is the pre-cast concrete park bench. Not only is this type of park bench near impossible to damage but is also resistant to decay, and it can easily withstand the outside elements. With this new design of park bench, the number of replacements has gone way down. In addition, the pre-cast concrete bench looks really nice and modern while retaining some of the traditional style we have all come to expect out of a park bench.

Another popular type of park bench is the teak bench. With this type of park bench, you will find nice variety of styles from which to choose. Teak has long been heralded as the premium wood for outdoor furniture as it has abilities to withstand the elements while maintaining its beauty. While the initial cost of teak park benches is higher than some other park bench styles, it is definitely worth considering as a long-term investment. Teak has an average lifespan of around 75 years and requires little maintenance and ages beautifully to a silver gray patina.

With the wide variety of options available, concrete and teak park benches are the preferred choice due to their durability, beauty and low-maintenance features. So when you are walking around your local park or zoo, do not think just about Forest Gump sitting on the park bench. Think about how nice it is to sit down, enjoy the scenery and relax for a while.