Whilst Skateboarding had been banned for years before the official end of Love Park as a skateboarding Mecca in February 2016, it is still one of the most recognisable skate spots in history.
Almost every popular skateboard video from the 90’s onwards featured the Philadelphia plaza and the spot was largely identifiable by a large replica of Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture at the top of the fountain.
So many amazing tricks have been done at Love Park over the years. From tricks on the ledges to tricks done over the trash cans or even into the fountain, to this day skateboarders still mourn the loss of the famous skate spot.
I have selected what I believe to be the Top 20 Lines ever done at Love Park.
What are your favourite tricks from the iconic spot?
20 - Kerry Getz - Habitat 'Mosaic'
When Kerry Getz kick flipped into the Fountain at Love Park in 1996 (footage later to be released on Toy Machine’s “Jump Off A Building” in 1998) it blew minds. Kerry also has some top quality long lines at Love Park over all levels but his opening line from Habitat’s “Mosaic” video was something special, finishing the line by building up speed for a frontside 180 into the fountain from the top of the steps.19 - Anthony Pappalardo - Transworld Skateboarding 'i.e'
A young Anthony Pappalardo dropped two parts in the year 2000, Alien Workshop’s “Photosynthesis” and Transworld’s “i.e” and both were outstanding. Anthony seemed to have a timeless style and always had an incredible selection of tricks in his locker. The below line is from Transworld’s “I.e” but was later also used in “The On Video” for the Love Park segment and is beautifully executed .18 - Danny Garcia - Alien Workshop 'Photosynthesis'
Another opening line from Love Park, this time with Danny Garcia putting a solid three piece together. Danny always had a great technical selection of tricks and with his smooth style he made everything look effortless.17 - Danny Montoya - Transworld Skateboarding 'The Reason'
With one of the cleanest styles in Skateboarding, Danny Montoya was probably one of the most underrated skaters of our generation. Danny was a technician ahead of his time and the unofficial ‘King of Nollie.’ His part in Transworld’s “The Reason’ was sublime and his Love Park line filmed by Ty Evans was done to perfection.16 - Ricky Oyola - 411VM 'Issue 10' - Profiles
This ‘Top 20 Lines of Love Park’ list wouldn’t be complete without a line from Love Park legend Ricky Oyola. Hell, Ricky even has the Love logo tattooed on his arm, something he spontaneously got done in 1992. This 411 Video Magazine segment from 1996 showed just how good and consistent Ricky was. With the cameraman struggling to keep up with him at times, Ricky orchestrates an 11 trick line cruising all over Love Park. Ricky also had some nice lines at Love Park in the Sub Zero 'Real Life' video from 1994.15 - Chris Cole - 411VM 'Issue 40' - Wheels of Fortune
As well as landing some incredible tricks into the fountain at Love Park , Chris Cole has racked up quite a few sweet lines at the spot as well. This line from his ‘Wheels of Fortune’ part in 411VM is from the year 2000 when he was riding for World Industries.14 - Kevin Taylor - Transworld Skateboarding 'The Reason'
Kevin Taylor had a great cameo in Stevie William’s “The Reason” part with a nice three piece, floating about Love Park attacking the ledges with style and speed.13 - Dylan Sourbeer 'Sabotage 4'
If you have never seen any of Dylan Sourbeer’s “Sabotage” parts you are missing out. Dylan has so much footage from Love Park that it made choosing what I believe to be his best lines such a difficult task! This line is from his “Sabotage 4” part.12 - Chris Cole - 411VM 'Issue 40' - Wheels of Fortune
Another one from Chris and his longest line at Love Park in his 411VM part. Not a trick you often see to end a line but this sums up Chris’s innovative style and he would go on to be one of the groundbreaking skateboarders of his generation.11 - Stevie Williams - Transworld Skateboarding 'The Reason'
Transworld’s “The Reason” was Love Park heavy with so many amazing tricks and lines in what some would call 'The Golden Era' of Skateboarding. This is line one of two for Stevie. More to follow…10 - Dylan Sourbeer - 'Sabotage 4'
Another line from Dylan’s Sabotage 4 part which ends with the most perfect Frontside Tailside, Kickflip out to Fakie. It must be said that Dylan also has some amazing tricks and lines at Love Park in “Sabotage 5” which if you haven’t seen are worth checking out. The footage from “Sabotage 5” was close to the final days of Love and he can even be seen skating amongst the rubble and construction work going on at the time. Peep the part on the Thrasher website here..9 - Brian Wenning - 'The DC Video'
Brian Wenning has no shortage of footage at Love Park, with a wide variety of clips spanning multiple video parts. This opening line in DC Video in 2003 is incredible and shows just how easy he makes it look. I think he had Love Park nailed by this point!8 - Ricky Oyola
I think this iconic clip filmed by Dan Wolfe sums up Ricky Oyola as a skateboarder and how big a ripper he was. The OG of Love Park only had one thing on his mind in this clip and it was clearing the sidewalk onto the road. Straight into traffic with no spotter. Ricky was a true innovator for street skateboarding and with his aggressive style he was forever tearing shit up. A Love Park legend.7 - Josh Kalis - Transworld Skateboarding 'The Reason'
Being close friends with Stevie Williams it was only fitting that Kalis also have a cameo in the part, treating us to one of his trademark Tre Flips along the way.6 - Brian Wenning - Alien Workshop - 'Photosynthesis'
Brian Wenning’s Photosynthesis part is timeless in the eyes of many skateboarders. Brian had so many jaw dropping lines throughout the section and the Mr Dibbs music seemed to fit so well with his style. He also had some great tricks on the outlet ledges of Love Park but it was his lines starting off from the top ledge over the trash can that really stood out!5 - Josh Kalis - Alien Workshop 'Photosynthesis'
So many good lines for Josh in this part however this gem has made it to number 5. The line ends with a nice Switch Kick Flip to Switch Back Tail on one of the outer ledges at Love.4 - Josh Kalis - 'The DC Video'
Kalis again doing what he does best with a 4 banger line. He quickly attacks both ledges to Switch Heel on flat and a perfect Switch Back Tail to finish.3 - Stevie Williams - Transworld Skateboarding 'The Reason'
The opening line from Stevie William’s part in arguably one of the best Transworld Videos to ever grace our screens. Stevie pulls off a heavy 8 trick line with a huge Switch Heel Flip over a trash can right in the middle. Stevie as usual makes it look he he isn’t even trying.2 - Brian Wenning - Alien Workshop 'Photosynthesis'
Brian’s ender in the part was an incredible Switch Tre at the Brooklyn Banks but in an earlier line he makes one just as nice starting off the line from the top ledge again over the trash can. The casualness of this to begin a line and land perfectly on the bolts makes this our number 2.1 - Josh Kalis - 'The DC Video'
And making it in at Number 1 of 'The Top 20 Best Lines at Love Park' is another from Love Park loyal, Josh Kalis. Kalis is unquestionably one of the most influential skateboarders of his generation. He has dropped some unbelievable lines at Love Park and a large part of his legacy was built there. Whilst this was a difficult one to decide, I have chosen Josh’s last line from the DC Video. Josh Kalis once said how seeing Ricky Oyola (in a 411VM opener) ollie over two trash cans off a propped up tile at Love Park inspired him. Kalis and plenty of others went on to do many a trick over the trash cans at Love however not many people do Switch Heels like Kalis or of this height to close out a part. Simply superb!
