Photos from the opening day and ribbon cutting of the long in planning, short in construction, amazing game changer of a skate board park in Philly. Great to see the dreams and persistence of a lot of people come true.
I love shooting skateboarders, I’m in awe of their fearlessness and talent.
I shot the above photo in 1998 on my way to work about 9AM on a Wednesday.
Former Governor Rendell thanking Mayor Nutter who granted $2 million dollars to the project to match the state’s contribution
State Representative Brian K. Sims ( lawyer, politician, and activist on LGBT rights), thanks his predecessor Babette Josephs, for all her work on the project.
Claire Laver, Executive Director, Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund and Josh Nims, Operations Manager at Schuylkill River Development Corporation
The ribbon cutting with Brian Sims, Michael DiBerardinis is Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources for the City of Philadelphia and Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Councilwomen Cindy Bass, Councilman and President Darrell Clark, Sen Larry Farnesse, Mayor Nutter,Josh Nims, John Di Giordano, Mitch Bormack, Board President FPSF, Councilman David Oh,
Great trick and socks
When I skateboarded as a kid, they didn’t have these amazing boards. I cracked my board so much, I decorated it with duct tape.
This park is an going to do more to beat childhood obesity than anything that could be legislated
It’s also the great equalizer, young, old, straight, gay, black, white I saw using it. The courtesy that goes on is amazing. It’s great to see how everyone waits their turn, and how it’s decided who skates next. It’s great study on humans, and since my major in college was Sociology, I really enjoy watching that process. Not sure how the skaters, bikers, and scooters are going to fare in the coming days, but I think there’s enough space for them all to get along.
Emmy award winning cameraman Brad Berner, NBC10 catches the action
Steve Olitsky, Shanna Olitsky, Tamar Olitsky, The Olitsky Foundation, who helped fund the skate board park, along with Steve Rockman, who is also a Board member with the Olitsky’s.
The Mayor is ready for his close up, as Brad Berner and Nefertiti Vasquez, NBC10 look on
The park has a curfew of 1AM to 6AM, but the lights will remain on at night
observing
waiting their turn
glasses
I think they express their style through their boards, they’re all so colorful. They are not afraid of pink either.
I wonder what the KOP mall would think of his shirt?
The Mayor greeted as many skaters as he could
great character building & encouragement going on here. He’s got blades on.
Jumping for joy. You gotta just keep the faith that no one is going to get hurt.
Pink Board
Waiting their turn
at 1:38 professional skateboarder Chris Coles makes a clean run
Teal Butterfly is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer by educating the public through community events and social media campaigns
