Brian Panebianco on Philly Post-Love Park
Switch backside 180 to fakie 5-0, you know where. Photo by Luke Darigan.
We asked Sabotage co-creator and technical footwear enthusiast Brian Panebianco a few questions about what’s to come in the post-Love Park era of Philadelphia skateboarding.
Has skating in Philadelphia changed since Love Park was demolished?
Yes. It’s like we had to restart. Now all we have is Muni (Philadelphia Municipal Plaza).
Is the scene at Muni much different from what it was like at Love? Why?
It’s more of a free for all at Muni. There’s no regulation. Probably because there’s no personal connection, or at least as much as love. Love gave you this feeling, and I can’t explain it. Muni does not. At least for me it doesn’t.
Philadelphia Municipal Plaza. For those who've wondered, the game-themed sculptures are part of a public art piece titled Your Move.
The city likely spent a lot of money constructing Paines Park. Do you guys ever skate it?
Never. I’m not even against it. I want a decent skatepark near by that I can go to and break a sweat and maybe learn something. Once or twice a year I give Paines a try.
Nollie frontside 180 to fakie 5-0 shove-it at another mainstay of plaza skating.
As you guys traveled around Europe, have you noticed any similarities between the cultures surrounding the plazas you’ve visited (locals, lurkers, pedestrians, etc.)?
I (went to) Madrid and Lyon, France. Both scenes in these cities are very comparable to Philly. I guess Love was more gnarly, with bums and lurkers. You weren’t allowed to skate there, so that makes it different. But the crews at these spots love and protect their plazas. It goes deeper than skateboard tricks to the locals.
Someone had to do it. Glad it was this guy. Switch noseblunt.
Where do you see skating in Philly going in the future?
Well, I’m sure Muni is next on the chopping block. With Love reopening, I bet they crack down harder at Muni. After that It’s either going to get super gritty, like underground street shit, or it’s gonna get kinda soft, like Berrics high-five type shit.
I’m worried.