Vans and the City of Philly Have Renovated Muni Plaza for Skaters
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Back in the day, if you tried to shred in downtown Philadelphia’s LOVE Park, you might have gotten run off by the cops. The Thomas Paine Plaza and LOVE Park were hotspots for the local skate scene, but in 2002, the city made it illegal to skateboard there. They even rejected a $1 million offer from DC Shoes in 2004 to help pay for upkeep at the park. While it did reopen for skaters in 2016, the park was torn down shortly after, and now, 10 years later, Vans is stepping up for the Philly skate scene.
In partnership with non-profit SkatePhilly, Vans has donated $300,000 to help reopen Thomas Paine Plaza. The city has poured $18 million into the renovations, but Vans’ contributions have helped create a section specifically designed for skateboarders. Materials salvaged from the original Muni, LOVE Park, and Dilworth Plaza were used to help create the granite benches around the park.
These granite dominoes feature the number “6” as a nod to Vans’ founding year, 1966, and the perimeter is done in a checkerboard pattern. Obviously, Vans is synonymous with the checkerboard pattern, thanks Spicoli. The park will also contain a commemorative plaque that recognizes the partnership between Vans and SkatePhilly.
The park opens today, Friday, April 17, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 2:30 PM EDT. Sole Retriever’s Zach Harris will be in attendance, as Vans is throwing a community skate jam to celebrate the opening. Just a heads up, he will beat you in SKATE while wearing some Hardens. Don’t get hustled. If you’re in Philly, grab your board and head downtown to be one of the first to shred the city’s newest skate park. For more updates on the latest happenings in the sneaker world, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
