Seeing as I know nothing about skateboarding or its culture, I would not be able to differentiate between a kickflip and a frontside 360 (yes I had to google that 2nd term). But walking around the streets today for Go Skateboarding Day 2009 it was obvious to even me, a non-skater, that things have certainly changed in a city that was once known for its skateboarding history.
As I strolled down the parkway I watched as kids skated AWAY FROM Love Park and I quickly realized why. Police officers had the park surrounded on all sides like it was some sort of crime scene. Even tourists and those looking to simply enjoy the fountain on a Sunday afternoon seemed off put and driven away by the groups of cops standing around chit-chatting leisurely, ready to strike at any sign of a young boarding trying to enter the facility. This was quite a let down.I walked across to City Hall and watched as small groups of kids skated the sidewalks like ninjas trying to avoid any officer who would puff out their chest and start to walk toward them if they made any attempt at a trick. Even City Hall was under patrol. After speaking with a few boys about what was going on that day, you could see the disheartening looks in their faces, some of which who had come into the city JUST to skate with their peers on a day that had originally been created for them back in 2004.
Determination fueled these kids to not give up, some had been rolling around center city since 9am hoping the officers would eventually disperse and they could ride the famous Love Park uninterrupted. Cell phones began to blow up with calls from friends who had found non-law enforced spots to skate throughout the city so we were on our way down Broad Street to a place known as "Third Block". This ended up being the back of a school building in North Philadelphia with steps that were legit enough to do these tricks off of (you know, the tricks that I am clueless to, yeah those!)There was a group of about 20 or 30 kids hanging out by the time I got there. Decked out in skinny jeans that ran the entire spectrum of the rainbow and shaggy hair that would make Zach Efron proud! They were doing what they loved. (Some better than others) They were thrilled to be having their pictures taken while attempting these tricks off of the run down, tagged up concrete stairs, no doubt feeling like professionals.
The whole day was a BUST, except for this lovely young man I had the privilege of looking at all day: http://i42.tinypic.com/2112juw.jpg shhh!! The cities' best skate spots were shut down by meddling police officers. So it makes you wonder when the streets will ever become THE STREETS again? I mean come on, X-Games were held here in 2001 for cripes sake!!
Again, I don't claim to know sh*t about skateboarding. But check out this recent article in Philadelphia Weekly that might give you some more insight as to what is happening around the city regarding skateboarding lately:
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/cover-story/Enemies-of-the-Skate.html
Also try and cop an issue of two.one.five magazine volume 1.1. They have an amazing ILLUSTRATED timeline of Philadelphia's skateboarding history. I tried to find it online for you guys, but I failed!
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