The legendary Love Park, a Philadelphia landmark synonymous with 90s street skateboarding, is making an unexpected journey to Sweden. This iconic plaza, which holds a special place in the hearts of skateboarders worldwide, is seeing a portion of its original granite relocated to Malmö, a city known for its vibrant skate scene. How did this remarkable event come to pass?
In a rare agreement, the city of Malmö collaborated with Philadelphia to acquire a substantial amount of Love Park’s original granite. This granite had been stored in a city lot since Love Park’s dismantling in 2016. While some pieces of Love Park have been repurposed in other skate parks, the stockpile held the potential for even more significant projects. The initiative began at the 2019 Pushing Boarders conference in Malmö, where filmmaker and Philadelphia native Brian Panebianco joined Skate Malmö’s Gustav Eden to discuss the project. Panebianco, having meticulously measured Love Park’s features before its demolition, was instrumental in the effort to recreate a piece of the plaza elsewhere.
A photo of the Love Park granite in a city storage lot
Gustav Eden, driven by the desire to preserve Love Park’s heritage, initiated contact with the city of Philadelphia after witnessing its demolition. “When Love Park was being torn down, the reactions were like ‘Ok, we’re losing the chance to experience this thing on your bucket list and engage in this heritage,'” said Gustav. “I thought that, because I have a city of Malmö email title, if I contact the city of Philadelphia it will be very different than if a skater does it.” This proactive approach led to a meeting with Bob Allen, a Philadelphia municipal worker, and combined with the support from Brian and Skate Malmö, Gustav had the opportunity to ship the granite across the Atlantic Ocean.
A blueprint of the Love Park layout
The logistics of such a massive undertaking are considerable, but the dedication of skate fans, both local and international, has made it feasible. From the original light poles to detailed schematics and even a bit of 90s era wax, a significant part of Love Park is set to be reborn in downtown Malmö in late May or early June. This ambitious project not only honors Love Park’s history but also allows a new generation of skateboarders to experience the legendary spot.
A picture of Love Park granite being transported
The project is a powerful tribute to Love Park’s cultural significance in skateboarding. It is a testament to the impact this spot had on skateboarding history and the passion of the community to preserve its legacy. As Gustav explains, “Malmö has no claim to Love Park. No one except the Philadelphia skaters have claim to Love Park. It’s your heritage, you created it. This is about a homage to the cultural significance that you have achieved through skating Love and creating the space and iconography.” This sentiment highlights the profound respect and appreciation for Love Park within the global skateboarding community. The move to Sweden isn’t about appropriation, but rather a sincere homage to a truly iconic skate spot. The project allows future generations to experience a piece of skateboarding history and heritage firsthand.
A picture of skateboarders at Love Park in its prime
The relocation of Love Park’s granite to Sweden is a remarkable story of dedication, preservation, and the enduring power of skateboarding. This project serves as an inspiring example of how the skateboarding community can transcend geographical boundaries to preserve and celebrate its unique heritage. It ensures that the legacy of Love Park lives on, inspiring future generations of skateboarders. This piece of Philadelphia will now have a new home in Sweden, allowing a piece of skateboarding’s golden era to be experienced by an entirely new generation.
