Great question—this trips up a lot of people. The short answer: it depends on the bench and the brand, but most park benches arrive with the hardware needed to assemble the bench itself, like bolts, washers, and brackets. The hardware used to secure the bench to the ground, however, is often sold separately.
If you’re buying a freestanding bench, you may get a more complete kit. If it’s a surface-mount or in-ground model, concrete anchors, wedge anchors, or soil mount kits are usually treated as add-ons because the right fasteners depend on whether you’re bolting into concrete, asphalt, wood, or soil.
Before you order, check the product description for phrases like “mounting hardware included,” “assembly hardware included,” or “anchors sold separately.” For concrete pads, you’ll typically need outdoor-rated wedge or sleeve anchors. For wood decks, lag bolts or structural screws. For soil, an in-ground mount kit or concrete footings.
Some commercial benches do include surface-mount flanges and basic bolts, but many parks and public spaces upgrade to tamper-resistant or stainless steel hardware for safety and durability. If you’re buying for a playground, park, or public area, budget for separate mounting hardware unless the listing clearly states it’s included.
Bottom line: don’t assume. Assembly hardware is often in the box; permanent mounting hardware often is not. A quick message to the seller can save you a second trip to the hardware store.