The story of Love Park in Philadelphia is more than just a tale of a skate spot; it’s a saga of a community’s deep-rooted connection to a place that shaped their identity. Even after its demolition, the spirit of Love Park lives on, fueling an almost obsessive quest among local skaters to reclaim its essence. This article explores that devotion, focusing on Brian Panebianco, the filmmaker behind the Sabotage video series, and his journey to find and skate the remnants of Love Park.
Brian Panebianco at the Love Park graveyard
Discovering the Love Park Graveyard
After the demolition of Love Park, the city relocated many of its iconic features, including granite blocks, benches, and other remnants, to a storage lot on the outskirts of the city. Word spread among the Philly skate community about the location of this “Love Park graveyard,” and Brian Panebianco, driven by a desire to reconnect with this hallowed ground, embarked on a mission to find it. The journey was far from easy, involving a long walk along train tracks, scaling a 10-foot fence made accessible by a fallen tree, and the ever-present risk of being caught by city authorities.
Skating the Rubble
The storage lot was essentially a collection of urban debris—benches, light poles, guard rails, and, most importantly, the granite blocks that were once the foundation of Love Park. For most, this would be just a pile of rubble, but for Panebianco and his crew, it was a blank canvas for skateboarding. Despite the challenges of the uneven terrain and the constant threat of discovery, they were determined to make this overgrown space skateable again. They spent countless hours moving granite, laying down tiles, and even constructing a makeshift ramp. This wasn’t just about skating; it was about reclaiming a piece of their history and celebrating the spirit of Love Park.
The Allure of Love Park
The obsession of Philly skaters with Love Park goes beyond the physical space. It was the epicenter of a street skating renaissance, a place where countless skaters honed their skills and where community bonds were forged. Love Park was more than just a skate spot; it was a home, and its sudden removal left a void in the hearts of those who called it their own. This explains why skaters like Panebianco went to such extreme lengths to find and skate its remains—it was a way of keeping the memory alive.
A close-up view of the ledges at the Love Park graveyard
The Challenges and Triumphs of the Mission
Skating at the Love Park graveyard was no walk in the park. The location was overgrown and unkempt, requiring the skaters to move heavy granite and build ramps. Panebianco recounted the difficulties of setting up a nosegrind and creating a gap, which involved moving ledges, laying tiles for run-ups and landings, and even constructing a makeshift roll-in ramp in the dead of night. Despite the obstacles, they persevered, motivated by the desire to bring the spirit of Love back to life, even if just for a few moments.
Brian Panebianco performing a trick at the Love Park graveyard
The Thrill of the Secret Spot
Panebianco admitted that filming at the secret location was a risk, with close calls involving a truck that parked near the gate and an incident where they had to cut a lock to get their cars out of a parking lot. They’ve opted to keep the location secret to avoid the possibility of people stealing the remnants. This secrecy has added an extra element of excitement to the project, making their skate sessions feel like clandestine missions into a lost world.
Another skateboarding shot at the Love Park graveyard
The Legacy of Love Park
The story of Love Park and the lengths to which skaters have gone to preserve its memory serves as a reminder of the power of place. While the physical space is gone, the spirit of Love Park continues to inspire and influence the skateboarding community in Philadelphia. Panebianco, along with many other skaters, hopes that someday, Love Park will be rebuilt, ensuring its legacy as a home for skaters for generations to come. When asked what he would consider more valuable, a brick from Love Park or the Brooklyn Banks, Panebianco stated that Love Park tiles are huge, so if anything it would have to be a broken piece.
A final skateboarding shot at the Love Park graveyard
Final Thoughts
The story of Love Park’s remnants is a testament to the passion and dedication of the skateboarding community. Brian Panebianco’s journey into the “Love Park graveyard” isn’t just about skating on rubble; it’s a powerful act of remembrance and a fight to keep the spirit of a beloved skate spot alive. The lengths these skaters are willing to go to keep Love Park’s legacy alive serves as a reminder that some places hold a special place in our hearts, and their stories are worth preserving.
Q&A by: James Lee
Photos by: Andrew Meyer
