MAN JUNK SPOT
Manayunk and Gates street philadlephia pa 19128
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The Man Junk Spot
- There is an abandoned tennis court on the corner of Manayunk and Gates Street in Manayunk, PA. It's off the beaten path enough that anyone can do pretty much whatever they want there, for better or for worse. About two years ago I started going there to learn how to ride my skateboard. It was quiet, no one really bothered me, and the sun was always shining. Since I started skating there, a community of skaters have come together and built a collection of obstacles for a variety of skill groups. I have noticed people just learning how to push, taking advantage of the wide open flat space. I have seen maniacs practice flipping their board in and out of grinds, creating intricate combos. I am there at least four days a week and everyone is always friendly and encouraging. This Manayunk DIY skate park has been so much fun and I would love to see it grow and become something real. It would be great if we could get permission to build there without the threat of losing everything to a sledgehammer one day. Recently, a similar spot was converted to a park called Font Street Park in South Philadelphia. Granite was even used directly from Love Park to pay homage and bring back some of the Love Park spirit. If we could do something similar in Manayunk I think it could be an enticing destination for skaters, picnicking folk, tennis players, and I've even seen people shadow boxing there in the past. Here is what I'm afraid of: In the past, skateboarding culture has been synonymous or linked with crime. I'm afraid of skaters being blamed for things they aren't doing. I've seen people lighting fireworks at the spot, throwing trash everywhere, selling drugs and partying. I have appreciated the space to the utmost and have never seen any skateboarder engaging in any of that nonsense. I don't want the space to be taken away from the very people who have kept the spot clean and inviting. I've seen skaters with rakes, brooms and shovels cleaning the spot to make it nice. I want to get real permission to build something that promotes creativity, passion and relaxation. A major complaint that we have received is the noise skateboarding makes on wooden obstacles. About six months ago, a local citizen came to the spot to tell us the noise was too shrill and she could hear it on her patio. We responded by moving the wood obstacles to the back to minimize the sound and we started raising money to make obstacles out of concrete, which is much quieter to land on. Since then, no one has complained, even the police officer that lives directly across the street. We have even joked back and with him at times. My ultimate goal is to split the park in half to preserve the working tennis courts. I see tennis players there often and there's plenty of space for everyone. I have talked to many people who agree that the street style obstacles are great and would be even better with quality material and a developed layout. I think it would be great to model aspects of the space after Love Park, including granite ledges. I know people that would be eager to get involved with pouring cement and transporting large blocks of granite.
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Back
Type
Butter bench
Dimentions
N/A
Up Keep
In good shape
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Type
Wood box
Dimentions
N/A
Up Keep
Needs new top
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Type
Butter bench
Dimentions
3"4"5
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In good shape
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Type
Concrete manual pad/rail
Dimentions
N/A
Up Keep
Sweep rocks if necessary
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Instagram: rox_courts
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Type
Butter bench
Dimentions
3"4"5
Up Keep
In good shape
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Instagram @roxcourts
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Type
Metal square rail
Dimentions
N/A
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In good shape
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Type
Bank to curb
Dimentions
N/A
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Sweep rocks if necessary
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Instagram: rox_courts
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Type
Wood manny pad
Dimentions
N/A
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Needs new top layer
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Type
Spine
Dimentions
N/A
Up Keep
Work in progress
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Type
Painted curbs
Dimentions
N/A
Up Keep
Sweep rocks if necessary
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