Yes, definitely. Designers often build in small features that make a ledge, bench, or planter less attractive to skateboarders. Common moves include adding raised metal pins or “skate stoppers” on ledges, splitting benches with center armrests, using rounded or angled top edges so a board can’t lock onto them, and specifying rough or textured surfaces that slow trucks down. Planters with wide rims, boulders, and stepped seating can also work because their shapes are awkward to grind.
That said, the best urban outdoor furniture doesn’t just fight skaters—it still has to be comfortable, accessible, and safe for everyone else. A bench with armrests in the wrong places can be useless for someone stretching out or using a wheelchair. Aggressive anti-grind design can also feel hostile, so many cities now try subtler solutions: integrated armrests, sloped profiles, durable textures, and layouts that guide movement instead of adding spikes.
So yes, anti-grind design is real and common, but the smartest approaches balance skateboard grinding deterrence with good public seating and a welcoming streetscape.