Why every city needs a skatepark | Josh Nims | TEDxPhiladelphia

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Competitive yet comradely, skate culture is the hidden spring of a surprising number of Philly’s creative fields. And creating a safe place in town where skaters can “pop ollies” is a passion for Josh Nims. A decade ago, skateboarders in Philadelphia were under attack. A ban on skating in LOVE Park, the internationally renowned shredding paradise, turned the city’s public spaces into dangerous ground. But just as the movement against skateboarding gained momentum, an advocacy group sprung into action. Since 2000, Josh has been working with the Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund, along with co-founders Bryan Lathrop and Brian Nugent, to build and advocate for skateparks. It’s a skillset that combines a talent for raising money, a taste for politics and city planning, and a knack for community building. Today, Paine’s Park is a meeting place for the city and one of Philadelphia’s finest and most inclusive public spaces.
Josh Nims is a lifelong skateboarder with an affinity for politics and city planning. He is co-founder of the Franklin's Paine Skatepark Fund and operations manager for the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, where he works to revitalize and redevelop the lower Schuylkill River and reconnect it to Philadelphia’s urban core.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@lored3201]

As a middle aged suburban mom, I don’t understand why communities give skaters such a hard time. They’re outside doing something fun and active with their friends. Let them skate!!

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

You are not only wise Laura but you are sweet! Winning combination.

[@robertorobertotototo6912]

U a real one

[@captainsoncho]

build a mini ramp in your yard and you will change the lives of many!

[@Tomdelongpenis]

@Brecken Kase Lauren deserves better then this

[@jacobsims8307]

Skating is both an art and a physical sport. It challenges the brain and body. Nursing my ruptured achilles can't wait to get back, it's an obsession.

[@RafaelTomasyoyo]

I appreciate your help to the community man! We need more people like you!

[@thegreatglueman7208]

The day I go visit that park I will remember Josh Nims

[@slugrash1750]

Finally a mum that doesn’t have an issue with it

[@noscopepotato7382]

I think we should make a skatepark in my backyard

[@Luvsammyy]

Lol 😂

[@gametimewithcole6724]

I appreciate your help in the skateboarding community

[@emilecrowther8594]

Love this man!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MichaelBrown-re2hz]

My boy Josh Nims!

[@michaelgrimes5588]

All is cool but one line...3rd ranked skateboarder...skateboardong has no ranks...if it does...everyone is#1

[@ticket2space621]

Thats what im talking about homie ✌🤙

[@nathanmusser1945]

State college pa needs a skatepark bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@juares4714]

penn skate!

[@staticallyavail.8709]

Huntsville, TX (SHSU) Can we be next please?

[@maxsanchez764]

Every gym, such as gold gym and planet fitness, should have a skatepark or at least a flatground space so that way they treat skateboarding as well as any other sports, such as basketball and weight lifting. and especially indoors too such as if it rains and snows. an if they can do that with basketball and weightlifting, why not for skateboarding.

[@humanothumqn659]

Some old lady would complain about guys smoking joints and cranking beers in the parking lot lol

[@printisdead1983]

Most of us skateboarders ...spend so much time skating...(for me at least 6 to 8 hours a day) we dont have time to get into real actual trouble...and this was before we had a skatepark that was worth a damn in louisville ky...I mean yea some of us get into HIJINXS but mostly innocent hijinxs...it keeps kids from getting into trouble AMD IT LITERALLY TEACHES DISCIPLINE...SKATING IS NOT A SPORT IT IS A DISCIPLINE MUCH LIKE MARTIAL ARTS..literally....thank you good night

[@petergarcia8225]

You could even build a skatepark in the middle of a golf course...and it would just be an extra obstacle.

[@jacobzjm]

just find a park in each city to build something for skaters.

[@lostpicasso2759]

Skateboarding is a beautiful thing. Just gotta take the time to understand it.

[@BahamasMusicLasers]

I wish we could get some help to build a skatepark over here in the bahamas :( its so hard to find somewhere that we wont get in trouble for. sigh

[@gridlocksbf9276]

My city has no skate park or skate shop

[@stuehl8607]

How big is your city?

[@paulaugust6293]

Open one!

[@faresmandorh3830]

I'm a rollerblader and I'm the skatepark manager of the first skatepark in Saudi Arabia. I really love how the culture is united here between rollerbladers and skateboarders and scooter and bmx riders. I really hope the U.S and the western countries find the way to unite the riders of all the extreme sports it makes it healthier and everyone will have fun we all need to be respected.

[@radrad4471]

this is by far my favorite ted talk and I havent even seen it

[@teresitammyles]

Josh Nims, This video is awesome! Dude, You are awesome!!! BTW, One of the happiest days EVER for me was Go Skate Day 2012. I was one of the skate moms that escorted the shredders to the "Forbidden Places". The police officers let my kids in Love Park without being reprimanded. So much fun in that blazing heat.😍

[@dragonstepper]

Whats up Josh! Crazy seeing this lol

[@drewscott9763]

I just got back into skating after 7 years and Indiana has come a long way with its skate parks. Its a great thing to see because people now can express themselves in a place where they wont get into trouble.

[@jacobsims8307]

I'm a kentuckian where should I go? I camp around broadripple Indianapolis a lot.

[@hernandezmarkie7382]

South Carolina isn't the deep south bucko

[@petergarcia8225]

You can get hurt skateboarding...yeah you can get hurt walking, riding your bike, playing basketball. You can get hurt from eating too much or to less. Welcome to Life.

[@StefanIsbrecht_]

*The Kalis Pic was taken by Blabac!

[@michaelbakken3182]

Josh you are the man!

[@abc123lov7]

I never cared about rank.

[@OfficialAdamWest]

Josh nims is a more positive Tom Green

[@blakehall3861]

Finally someone on here is relatable

[@jasondalton794]

Hello Josh loved the talk. I would like to ask about any help you might like to offer to a hopeful skatepark build in a tiny town called Rockland Idaho. I would love to check out some of your skate spots too someday. Such good work your doing. Amazing talk. Thank you.

[@petergarcia8225]

Lesson learned. A bit of organization and you will see that there is a time and place for all great things.

[@DunderHead.5000]

Our city doesn't want a skatepark. The politicians just used their buddies to poor a pile of concrete that's actually to large to skate and a prefab half-pipe made for BMX. And then they said 'we gave you what you wanted.'. It's a small city in the middle of nowhere where they hate change. They even went so far as to end a bicycle club because they didn't like the people who were in it. It's a city with a small town vibe (i.e. neighbors always creating gossip for no reason, calling the police making up reasons etc.). Why anyone would think rural America is good I don't know.

[@82PeRK]

All philly had to do was make LOVE PARK a skatepark. Problem solved. They spent 26,000,000.00 To renovate love park and make it not skater friendly. If you look at it now. The first thing tht will come to mind is " SO WHO POCKETED 24,000,000.00" BECAUSE all they did was fill in the concrete with grass and put up fence benches ( gapped metal seats) so its unskatable.

[@tamarrion-2349]

Hey I know I’m not gonna get a reply back but we really need a skatepark in Murfreesboro TN because we don’t have any anywhere close the closest is Nashville TN and that’s like 40 miles away so how will I get a park here

[@goproman4575]

Bellefonte pa needs a skatepark

[@wasthereasimplertime2618]

Antigonish Nova Scotia Canada! A tourist and college town with no more than 6000 locals is getting their own 5million dollar park! The skate tree has found its way here! Good luck everyone. Pave your own way.

[@TheGhjgjgjgjgjg]

That's so fuckin rad,skating is getting massively popular again

[@janetrobersonsmith]

Please please make a skate park in hover Alabama in Birmingham we need one there and it neeeds to be able to allow bmx and scooters please

[@Lapprenti-sage343]

Very inspiring!

[@scuffed7]

I don’t have a park and I need one so bad

[@paulaugust6293]

Create one!

[@donlawson935]

In my town of morristown tennessee I have a skatepark but it's far away yu have to drive to get to it and soon as yu get there yu don't want a skate cause thu streets are better, but what I'm saying is my town in morristown tennessee needs a good skatepark, in town though not faraway.

[@kam2894]

From a small town in PA, I thought everyones roads and sidewalks were this bad but I guess not?

[@donlawson935]

I hope you come to my town in morristown tennessee yu would help my town I bet I've tryd my town won't listen.

[@petergarcia8225]

Places to go, people to see and things to skate. Nothing more..nothing less.

[@tommysisk9055]

How do I get my city to make a skatepark ?????

[@osibosi99]

Ok, i'm going there someday to skate there!

[@jalenandrew2387]

Not the hero we deserve But the hero we need

[@donlawson935]

My town needs people like him

[@txi_xecute9277]

We need one in NY, Harrison

[@stpdig6196]

I'm from Florence south carolina

[@donlawson935]

Skateboarding has kept me away from drugs