Photos and Interview by Eddie Liddy
How did the idea for the park come about? (Using Love ground, layout and design)
It’s really something I been dreaming about for a long time. Moving to Michigan where the rents are a bit cheaper, and a cold snowy winter, had me thinking about it more. I mentioned the idea to DGK and they loved the idea. So with them backing the project, and me and the homies ready to go to work, we made it happen. We learned how to cut the floor, lay down granite, etc. It was a lot of work, but I saved 10’s of thousands doing the build out myself (with some friends).
Did you have to jump through any hoops with Philly to get the Love park ground?
No hoops. The guys in Philly who are in control of all the granite were stoked to pass me a few tiles for the project. It’s dope to go through the Love graveyard and see all the ledges still there. I
I noticed you guys did a lot of work to the ground what was the reason behind all that?
When I picked out the granite tiles they were really smooth and grippy. However it didn’t take long for us to realize they were too smooth and were getting really slippery. So I decided to kiss them with the grinder. We did the entire floor. Super pain in the ass, but it really made the park 100,000% better. Now my wheels bark again and don’t feel sketchy jumping out of tricks.
Did one person do all the paintings or multiple and who?
Two homies from here did the art. The homie Ozay did the mural and the “Run Skate Chill” and the homie Spiz did the other wall. He did the more DGK branded pieces. The art really gives me the feel of the old world park. I never skated that park, but I could feel the vibes while watching the videos.
Typical amount of time you spend there during the week in the winter?
I’m usually in here two or three times a week for a few hours. Sometimes really sweating it out, sometimes just cruising, watching whoever is in here ripping.
With Clemente DIY around the corner during the summer do you spend more time at the indoor or at Clemente?
It’s kind of a mix. It can rain here a lot, so I’ll be in here if it’s raining. Once August hits, it’s so hot the park just sits kinda empty. Usually July/August I’m out skating regular street spots. Clemente doesn’t have shade, so it can be hella hot there too.
Was this something you knew you absolutely had to have when the decision was made to move back to Michigan?
It wasn’t something I knew I had to have, but when I started poking around looking at spaces for rent, and then DGK saying they would back it, then it was something I knew could be possible. I also knew to make it a reality I would have to put the work in to build it.
Typical cost to DoorDash to the park?
Man… it’s pricey. Pizza $50, Starbucks can be $12 per coffee. It’s a lot. We been making pots here and bringing lunch boxes.
Any future plans for the park?
Whatever I gotta do to keep it. That’s it for now. Just been filming a ton, stacking clips for a big DGK project. It’s been tough to not post everything like normal, just been holding onto stuff like the old days.
It’s gotta be a good feeling sitting back on that couch in there and seeing some Michigan homies having a good time in a place you are able to help provide.
Dude, I actually sat on this couch and made a poem about it….. peep game…
“As I sit here smoking a grit sipping a Magic Mind. Watching these guys skate, I’ve realized this park is more of a find. Keeping me away from my own personal skate mind. The occasional knock on the door has me get up slightly annoyed, only to see the joy in the treasured hunters find. It has me reminisce of how I’d feel with a discovery like this if I think back and rewind. I feel like if I were to skate at this time, they might tease me… But then I realize I’ve created the ultimate skate speakeasy.”
