The idea for this skatepark started in the minds of the members of the Friends of Pop’s, a community group leading the charge to rehabilitate Pop’s Playground, located in the East Kensington section of Philadelphia.

They saw the abandoned roller hockey space, plenty of kids skateboarding in the streets, and made the connection. They approached Steve Miller from Exit Philadelphia Skate shop and skatepark designer Jesse Clayton to get the ball rolling. Construction began in 2008 with seed funding from SkatePhilly and a workforce of volunteers organized by Steve and led by Jesse. The team of volunteers continued to raise funds and push the project forward through its completion in July of 2009.

Pop’s is everything a neighborhood skatepark should be, attracting a core group of young skaters each day and hosting local contests and events each summer. With a variety of small to midsized features, it’s a perfect place for aspiring skaters to hone their skills and try new tricks.

Partners:

• Jesse Clayton/5th Pocket Design
• Exit Philadelphia
• The City of Philadelphia
• Philadelphia Department of Recreation
• New Kensington Community Development Corporation
• Friends of Pop’s Playground
• Boost Mobile
• Genworth Financial