In keeping with most major cities across the United States, Philadelphia will soon have a central location for skateboarders to ride.
Franklin's Paine Skatepark Fund, in conjunction with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, is designing a 2 1/2-acre skatepark to be located along the eastern side of the Schuylkill River near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The park will provide a central location for skateboarders, who previously have had to ride in public, off-limits areas.
"The issue of where skateboarders can be and legitimately skate is very important," said David Schaaf, a liaison for the PCPC. "We need to provide facilities for people that are skateboarding -- which is somewhat of a new phenomenon for all U.S. cities."
College sophomore and skateboarder Ron Wallach expressed his approval of the plan.
"I would be really stoked if they actually built that. It's definitely worth the trip," Wallach said. "If they build it, skateboarders will come."
In 2001, the city administration moved to ban skateboarding in several Philadelphia public locations. The legislation severely limited riders, who were already restricted from areas like John F. Kennedy Plaza -- known to skateboarders worldwide as Love Park.
In response, Franklin's Paine Skatepark Fund, an organization that advocates for skateboarders' rights, proposed a centralized riding location to city officials.
"We were trying to create some alternate facilities in a location that would really take the place of all these lost skate spots," FPSF President Joshua Nims said.
"We said, 'We're gonna offer to raise money and do the legwork on our own.' And eventually, if it works, [the city] won't be able to help but go along with it," Nims added.
Initially noncommittal, the city was encouraged by successful skateboarding events of 2001 and 2002, namely the ESPN X-Games, which were held in Philadelphia.
"For extreme sports advocacy in the area they were entering, we were the ones to talk to," Nims said of the X-Games officials. "Right away, we started building a relationship with their skaters and their public relations people."
In August 2003, the city approved the release of a triangular piece of Fairmount Park land for the project. According to Nims, the city also provided $100,000 in funding to contribute to the design development of the project.
Since city approval, plans for the park have been progressing "at light speed," Nims said. He also noted that land surveys and building plans are already under way.
Nims added that he is confident in the steady progression of the design.
FPSF "has had the types of successes that would support a much larger project hand in hand with the city," Nims said. Along with their experience, "the [City Council and Planning Commission] have been instrumental in helping us get thus far."
AB Architects, a consulting group with experience in skatepark construction, will also contribute to the project design planning.
