Go give Gregory Heller’s(urban planner and a member of the Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund Advisory Board) piece about skateboarding in Philadelphia and Paine’s Park.
The Inquirer Printed a Regional Commentary Piece about Paine’s Park
24 thoughts on “The Inquirer Printed a Regional Commentary Piece about Paine’s Park”
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Yeah Heller! Well written for the masses.
There are a few problems with a piece such as this. First of all the author states, “I am not a skateboarder. I am a young professional who wants a youth-friendly Philadelphia.” Why am I reading a piece of journalism about skateboarding that was not written by a skateboarder? Next, “Skate parks are very important to young people, an intrinsic part of their creative culture, part of their identity.” If this journalist does not skateboard, nor is he a young person, nor is the author of the best-selling book that this quote was taken from either of these things, how can they state such a a “fact?”
Third, “Today’s “street skateboarders” want natural urban obstacles, such as low benches and ledges. Skateboarders today want to be participants in mixed-use spaces.” Well, from my point of view, this cannot be farther form the truth. When was the last time this guy watched a video or picked up a magazine? Please kids, show them some rail footage with crowds of people watching you while eating lunch or playing frisbee. Lastly, “Skateboarders I know are lawyers, Realtors, engineers, artists and kids – punk or not. Skateboarding is a mode of transportation, exercise and profession; it is prevalent and is here to stay.” Well, the cultivation of spirit might have painted a better picture than this. I don’t mean to hate on things. However, if you are going to write journalism, at least write about the facts and what you know about. Consult some experts next time. Please.
Greg did a good job with this article. It’s probably the most positive piece of publicity that the project has gotten in a long time. Greg says that skaters are found in every vocation, are of all ages, and that their numbers are unlikely to dwindle yet this project is largely, if not wholly, and for reasons that have long been established, catering toward a specific genre of skateboarding. I do hope that it gets completed because I know how much people have and are working for it, but in it’s current form, it does not interest me as a skater. As a regular person, I am totally in favor of it though.
worst dude ever, did you miss the part about him being a “member of the Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund Advisory Board”? There ARE plenty of skateboarders that are part of the FP board, and have Gregory educated beyond belief. This piece is geared more toward the general public, not skateboarders in particular. Experts were consulted. Non-skateboarder don’t like to listen to most skateboarders who take such a negative stance against non-skateboarders, so it is good to see him reaching out to the masses. I could go on all day, and I’m sure this topic will get lots of attention. I know it is 2000-HATE, but really, your rant is fitting of your nom de plume: “worst dude ever”.
Dear Worst Dude Ever, If non skaters never wrote anything positive about skateboarding we would have no skateparks. Why on earth would you disagree with the non skaters support of skateboarding? Have you ever heard of LOVE Park? Or City Hall? Both had people using the place as public, eating lunch and so on. If street skaters never skated in public all we would have is pool parks and mini ramps. I suggest you pick up a magazine or a video and tell me how much of the skating is happening in the streets, in the public and how much is not.
Who are you speaking to? No one asked anyone to listen, only to read. If no one made a noise, how can the non-skateboarders you write about be upset with what they are listening to if it is only silence? Journalism follows a certain code. To print facts. Well, did he write facts or fiction? What was perpetuated? What do skateboarders really like to skate on? The question is posed as a sweeping generalization as if there is a standard group of obstacles. Therefore, any statements are also sweeping generalizations. What should the masses read about skateboarding? What do you want them to think of you? I am sure our views are not as polar as you seem to think.
Who is the sky and why are the sun? I guess this is a good time to say “I like Tacos.”
Look, skateparks are changing! > http://www.newlineskateparks.com
Skateboarding means different things to different people. I had a feeling posting this to a audience of skateboarders was going to stir up quite a shit-storm, and WDE, you have set sail. The Paine’s park is not for everybody, just like FDR is not for everybody. I am not saying you shouldn’t “type up”(as apposed to speak-up), just don’t expect people to line up in support of your non-support of non-skateboarders advocating for skateboarding. did that make sense?
When there’s a beautiful piece of living skateboarding art being built, whether it be ledges, tranny, or whatever, it’s ALWAYS a good thing. Personally, I suck at “streety” stuff. Still, I can’t wait for Paine’s Park. Skateboarding is skateboarding, and I’ll skate that fuckin’ place the best I can, with passion.
I guess I made the wrong point. Nobody’s arguing against the park. The argument is about advocacy for the park. And again, non-skaters have much more power to build a skatepark than skaters do, because they have nothing to gain. So much thanks goes to Gregory Helen Keller for driving that point home.
One more thing. Is that silhouetted skater modeled after Stevie Williams? Sure as hell looks that way.
WDE you said “However, if you are going to write journalism, at least write about the facts and what you know about. Consult some experts next time. Please.” Considering he is part of FP I’m sure he is well consulted and writing about the facts that he knows. His opinion is just as factual as your opinion is. Just because you happen to skateboard doesn’t mean your opinion is any more fact based than his. “such as low benches and ledges. Skateboarders today want to be participants in mixed-use spaces. Well, from my point of view, this cannot be farther form the truth.” Well from my point of view this couldn’t be more true. Just proving that your point of view is just as meaningful as mine, and just as meaningful as Gregs.
wde, shut up you retard. skateboarding is being presented to the public in a positive light, hopefully attracting more attention to the paines project. why the hell do you feel the need to whine about the fact that this dude doesnt skate? go back to pushing mongo around some shit ass pre fab park
Right now I feel like the kid in the back of the class with his hand up….and professor Haveboard refuses to call on me…
Ki, WHAT?
so much drama over nothing. so what if the guy doesnt skate. hes supporting skateboarding in a positive way. give the guy some credit. ohh and take a look at alex olson’s lakai part…in the begining of his part he frontside flips over that basket cart thing with a croud of people watching…the public
on a side not. i just watched the lakai video and i cant help but be dissapointed with marc johnsons ender. i was kinda hoping for something sick like…switch back noseblunt to regular on hollywood high or something.
I am over the whole Franklins Paine argument…at least they are making an effort to do something…Yeah, I may not be alive to see it built…but that’s the politics of it all. Try to get a pothole filled in the city and see how long that takes. Instead of constantly beating FP over the head with how this person is doing it wrong and that person did it wrong….why not work together on something we can affect in the now? We could all get together and build a little nugget spot somewhere in the city and shred it THAT day….Instead we just argue…Damn 2000-HATE is already becoming later’d to me…We need a new thing to hate on…
Angle iron, liquid nails, bondo… the urban blight of Philadelphia awaits a new purpose.
i feel like the kid in the class who’s silently suffering through nonsense and banter. but i’ll speak up about journalism, just because it came up. Greg’s piece was good, and i’m not trying to piss on it by saying it is not journalism. But when people say journalism, they usually mean reporting. as opposed to Op-Ed. that section of the paper or website is devoted to editorials (anonymous pieces written by editorial page staff, supposedly speaking for the paper) and opinions (signed pieces written by anyone who wants to air a perspective in print). This was an opinion, and if he wants he can say disputable things. it’s the way newspapers have always worked. You’ll generally have better results if you code that into your bullshit meter.
i kno a good spot to build at right off cottman ave. its nice and open most of the ground is good its got some banks and ledges already. me and a friend cleared it out and spray painted the ledges. needs a little work now but def worth it. if you search around the city or even the suburbs you can find abandoned property to build on hassle free. i spotted that cottman spot and i found one in bristol in the suburbs too
Means to an end.