The city of Philadelphia has a rich skateboarding history. In 2001 and 2002, the city hosted the X Games, an extreme sport competition that included several skating contests. JFK Plaza, more commonly known as Love Park, was for years a popular place for people to skateboard. While the city banned skating in Love Park in 2002, several other parks in the city are designed specifically for skateboarding.
Function
Skateboard parks in Philadelphia provide avid skaters with a place to try out new tricks, meet other skaters and skate safely. Some parks, such as FDR Skatepark, were designed and constructed by skaters while others are part of a chain of skateboard parks. Indoor parks give skaters a chance to practice during the colder months or when the weather is unpleasant. You'll need to bring your own board to skate in most parks, though a few offer rentals. A few parks require pads and helmets as well.
Cost
Public skateboard parks, such as FDR Skatepark, are free and open to anyone. You will have to pay an admission at some privately owned, indoor parks. The cost of admission usually depends on when you skate. Weekend admission is generally a bit more expensive. If you don't have your own gear, some parks will rent you pads, helmets or even a skateboard.
Getting to the Parks
You can drive or take public transportation to several Philadelphia skateparks. Most parks are located on the outer fringes of the city. Since several of the parks are in the northeast section of the city, you may need to take both a bus and the subway line. FDR Skatepark, which is in South Philadelphia, by the sports stadium, is accessible by the city's Broad Street subway line. The skatepark is at the last stop on the southbound subway.
Features
Skateparks in Philadelphia tend to be built of either cement or wood, depending on whether they are outdoors or indoors. Most of the parks have a vertical ramp and bowl. A few have a pool or mini ramps. Some parks, such as Woodward Skatepark and Whitehall Skatepark, have a street section featuring curbs, handrails and benches for skaters to practice their tricks.
Controversy
Until 2002, Love Park, near the City Hall in the heart of Philadelphia, was a popular spot for skaters. The park was designed by renowned city planner Edmund Bacon in the 1960s. His design featured curved steps, which proved to be great for skating. In 2002, the mayor of Philadelphia banned skating in the park, claiming that it was a nuisance and destroyed public property. A redesign of the park made it less amenable to skateboarding. Protests and debate followed and a new park was planned by the city's art museum. As of 2010, the new park has not yet opened.
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