Paine’s Park opening | Photo: Jessie Fox
After 12 years of planning and dialogue, Franklin’s Paine Park, designed by Anthony Bracali and Brian Nugent, opened yesterday afternoon. With live music by DJ Gregg Nyce and food trucks lining the new space, pro skaters Chris Cole, Kerry Getz, and Tom Asta officially christened the grounds, and infused an overall positive energy. “The space is designed to accommodate skateboarding as an important energizing force behind the life and movement of public space,” says the non-profit’s website. “Paine’s Park is not a replacement for LOVE Park. It is an evolution of the lessons about skateboarding in public space, the development of new ideas about recreation and public space in cities and towns around the world, and something new altogether.”
Paine’s Park opening | Photo: Jessie Fox
Paine’s Park is just the first of a planned string of stakeparks throughout the city “to strengthen communities and empower youth by advocating for skaters and skateboarding culture.” At the core of the plan is “innovative design, community engagement and multi-faceted use.” A second park on the river at Grays Ferry Crescent is planned for later this year.
Paine’s Park opening | Photo: Jessie Fox
Paine’s Park opening | Photo: Jessie Fox
About the author
Jessie Fox is a recent graduate from Temple University who works as a photojournalist for the agency Here's My Chance. She grew up in a small town and now walks the streets of Philly with (almost always) a camera in hand. Fox graduated with a degree in Photojournalism and somehow works that aspect into her everyday life. She feels as though everyone has a story to tell and that there will always be someone who is willing to listen. She wants her photography to go beyond what is and help people to connect to others in a way they never thought possible.
