Absolutely, and I’m so glad you asked! That’s one of the smartest design requests we hear, because real inclusivity means thinking about how every body uses a space—not just checking a box. The short answer: yes, we do have street benches that are wheelchair accessible on one end, and I’d love to walk you through exactly what that looks like.
When we talk about a bench that’s wheelchair accessible on one end, we’re typically describing a design where one side is left completely open—no armrest, no vertical support bar, and no raised edge that would block a wheelchair user from pulling up right alongside the seated person. Think of it as an invitation: someone using a chair can roll into that spot, transfer if they wish, or simply sit next to a friend, family member, or caregiver without a metal divider getting in the way. The other sections of the bench can absolutely have armrests, backrests, and even central hand grips for people who need a little help standing up. That way everyone’s needs are respected in the same piece of furniture.
How do we achieve this? Often it’s a customized layout of one of our standard heavy-duty outdoor benches. We’ll take a bench that’s normally 6 or 8 feet long and modify the end bay. The end seat stays at the same height and depth, but we omit the side armrest and make sure the frame underneath doesn’t protrude into the clear floor space needed for a wheelchair. That clear area is key—most guidelines, including ADA recommendations, call for a space at least 30 inches wide by 48 inches deep so a chair can pull in squarely and safely. Our designs meet that, and the seat itself usually sits around 17 to 19 inches off the ground, which lines up nicely with standard wheelchair seat heights to make lateral transfers smooth.
You might be wondering about materials and looks. We cast these benches in durable aluminum, steel, recycled plastic lumber, or FSC-certified hardwood like ipe, depending on the setting. For an urban streetscape, a sleek powder-coated aluminum frame with wood or slatted metal seats feels modern and tough against weather. For a garden or trail, recycled plastic looks natural and never needs painting. Either way, the accessible end doesn’t scream “special”—it flows seamlessly into the overall design. You’ll only notice it when you need it, which is exactly the point.
If you’re already picturing where this goes, a few things to consider: the ground underneath that accessible end should be firm, stable, and slip-resistant. Our installers typically embed benches or bolt them to a concrete pad so there’s no wobble. We also recommend leaving generous circulation space in front of the bench—not just for the chair user, but so passersby don’t trip. And if you want extra comfort, we can add a slightly contoured seat or a subtle center armrest that still leaves both ends accessible if you prefer bilateral access.
The best part? This isn’t a rare one-off. We build benches like this regularly for municipalities, campus planners, landscape architects, and community groups. They go in bus stops, playground edges, memorial parks, and busy downtown sidewalks. If you have a specific location or a photo of the spot, I can even suggest which model and material will work best and sketch up how the accessible end would be oriented. Reach out anytime—making a bench that welcomes absolutely everyone is something we’re always happy to do.