Referring back to my first post, I said I was going to post the full video Labour of Love. This video was filmed over the course of two years and showcases my close group of friends skating in the streets of Detroit and Toronto. After working on this project, my hope is to continue skating and filming and to being involved with another video. This time searching even deeper into the city to find new spots and new ways of exploring the city. As skateboarding evolves and you get older, its not about doing the biggest or best tricks but finding the most unique spot. Working to make something unskateable, skateable. Searching whether by car, board, bike, or on foot, to find that new spot. Lastly, and most importantly to have fun.
Also as more and more people are attracted to Detroit to skate, more opportunities for businesses will open up. Chiips a skateshop from Plymouth will be relocating to Hamtramck this August. They had a huge event this past weekend called Goodwood to raise money for the Ride it Park Sculputure. Many boards were donated and auctioned off, some by local Detroit Artist and some done by famous artist and skateboarders from across the Globe. Lance Mountain from Bones Brigade even donated a board. Check the link below to learn more.
The one section in Labour of Love that truly inspires me the most is my friend Justin Bohl. He is a school teacher and has some unfortunate luck with injuries. He has knee problems, I was with him in Madison, Wisconsin when he broke his foot, and he has recently healing from a cut hand. His dedication to skateboarding is unreal. Where the average person would have given up years ago, Justin is still going strong. Even with all these injuries he still managed to film the best part in the video. So check out the link below and enjoy Labour of Love. (Sorry you cant embed vimeo videos on blogger, Google owned they must want you to use YouTube.)
One of my favorite skateboarders of all time has recently came to Detroit. Pontus Alv a Swedish professional skateboarder made his way with the 5Boro/Carhartt teams to skate and showcase spots in Detroit. Pontus Alv is a breath of fresh air in today's glamourous action sports world. He is not only talented but represents originality in skateboarding. His unique trick selection, blue collar work ethic, and one of kind style is really amazing. He also shoots and directs his own skateboard films, a true entrepreneur. His film In Search of Miraculous was voted the best skate documentary in 2011. One of his most inspiring sections in the film is how he showcases a DIY spot he and his crew built on the side of a railroad station. Seeing that you can build your spot with only few buckets of cement shows that anyone can turn empty space into something truly worthwhile.
Backside Tailslide DIY Spot
Check out the 5Boro and Carhartt Crew in New York to Detroit.
Truly is awesome to see someone creating their own path, and doing what they love. For more inspirational footage check out the Push Trailer below, a video about skateboarding in Modern Architecture.
Currently two free outdoor skateparks are on the drawing board for Detroit. One in Hamtramck Ride It Sculpture and one in Roosevelt park Roosevelt Park. So for now you have to venture out of the city to find any type skatepark designated strictly for skateboarders to use. Often times these places are crowded and with a lack of money from local governments and can be poorly designed and unmaintained. However, in Detroit we make due with what we got and here are the top 6 skateparks that I like to skate in Metro Detroit. These are in my opinion the better ones in the area.
#1. Riley Skatepark. Founder's Sports Park, 35500 Eight Mile Road. Located in Farmington Hills and built two years ago, Riley is the largest all cement skatepark in Michigan. At 29,000 square feet there is no shortage of space or obstacles to skate. George Riley got the ball rolling with a $500,000 donation which covered about half of the cost to build the park. Obviously, from the amount of money spent, this is one of the better outdoor parks in the area. This park has everything from bowls with pool coping to manual pads, hips, and ledges. The only thing this park needs is lights for some late night sessions. Sometimes it does get a little crowded after kids get out of school or on weekends. So go early and stay late.
#2. Auburn Hills Skatepark. Squirrel Road and M-59. This is a really small outdoor skatepark located right by Oakland Community College. Very small but a fun little park to cruise around at. All the ramps are built by Woodward and the ground is smooth. There is even a little stream you can go fishing in, if your up for it. Usually never crowded, but can get very hot in the summer with limited shade.
#3. Huntington Woods Skatepark. 11 Mile Road and Coolidge. This is another free outdoor park that is made entirely out of cement. There is a four foot mini that feeds into a six foot bowl in the shape of a snowman. Surrounding the park is a circular street course that is really fun to cruise through. Very smooth, but because of its limited space can become crowded very quickly. Also the city does not open the park before April 1st. Do not go over the fence if it is locked, you will be ticketed (I have gotten one).
#4. West Bloomfield. 14 Mile Road and Drake Road. This park is located way out there in West Bloomfield. Another free out door park with smooth ground with wooden/plastic ramps brought in. Variety of small street obstacles from flat bars, benches, hips, quarters, and even a pole jam. The best thing at this park is the spine/mini ramp. This three foot mini totally takes the cake and will keep you shredding for hours. If I could build one of these in my backyard I totally would.
#5. Birmingham Skatepark. 2300 East Lincoln Between 14 and 15 Mile Road. This is one park I used to frequent quite often but haven't been skating lately. The park itself is laid out really well and is similar to the West Bloomfield skatepark in size, layout, and ramp construction. With a five foot mini ramp and no shortage of street obstacles this park is definitely worth it. Management is great too. The park is well policed and the Ice rink next door will open the park up as long as there is no snow or ice in the park. With this mild winter we just had the park was open almost every single day from Fall right through till spring.
#6. Kennedy Park. On Schroeder between Nine mile and Ten mile in Eastpointe. This is new park built by the city of Eastpointe via a Federal grant to the City of Eastpointe. With a estimated cost of around $220,000 the money was well spent. The park has metal ramps built by American Ramp Company ARC. They have a marble ledge and a cement jersey barrier. Two things no other parks in the Detroit area have. The park is very popular with local neighborhood kids, so the best sessions are in the morning. Also, checkout Pigeon Skateshop 5 blocks away, owned by a good friend of mine.
Skating and eating go hand and hand. I am always trying to grab some good quick food on the go, during or after a long day of skating. A good filling meal that can be gotten to go, and can be eaten quickly anywhere is just what you need. Quick and friendly service is also a must. Skating from spot to spot, for a 5 course meal just won't cut it. So go grab your board, some friends, and a few bucks and your sure to have a good day. Here are my top 5 picks for grabbing some food when you are pressed for time and money.
#1. Avalon 422 West Willis Street. This is a great place for breakfast or lunch. Start the day off right with some coffee and one of their delicious bakery items. My personal favorite is the Date bar with real fruit, whole grain, and granola. They also have a large selection of sandwiches, breads, and pantry items. Quick, fast, and healthy. Just be wary of parking in the bakery parking lot, it is always full. So park a block away or better yet, travel by board.
#2. Astro Coffee 2124 Michigan Ave. Located right in Corktown, Astro Coffee is a small new coffee shop that offers the best Coffee I have ever had. I have only been here 2 or 3 times but each time the coffee was KILLER. For a nice morning boost or a pick me up during the day, a cup from Astros is the bomb. It is located on Michigan Ave right next to Slows BBQ. Astro takes the crown for best coffee. Death over Decaf.
#3. Supino Pizzeria 2457 Russel Street. Supinos pizza located in Eastern Market is by far the place I frequent the most. This small pizza joint offers a thin New York Style slice loaded with toppings and a thick crust. My personal favorite is a slice of pepperoni and Lemon Pellegrino. Comes in nice to go slice box and hits the spot. $2.75 for a huge slice of pizza is essential.
#4. Slows-to-go 4107 Cass Avenue. Slows BBQ has become infamous in Detroit for having some of the best food around. To avoid the long waits at the Restaurant on Michigan Ave, hit Slows-to-go in Midtown for the same food and much shorter wait times. Plus all sandwiches come wrapped in a huge piece of waxed paper to keep all the sandwich in your stomach and off the ground. Pretty much anything on the menu is good. Even if you're a vegetarian you can still try the mac-n-cheese or some of the other vegetarian options on the menu.
#5. El Paisa Taqueria Truck Vernor Hwy. This is may be my new number one spot for cheap food that is really good. The menu is pretty small, consisting only of burritos, quesadillas, or tacos, with chicken or steak. What the menu lacks in quantity, is definitely surpassed by the quality and the price. For five bucks you can make a meal, with $1.25 tacos loaded with meat, cheese, onions, and cilantro. Don't forget to top it all off with bottle of mexican coke, (in a glass bottle).
All of these restaurants are independently owned too. Now that your stomach is full of the finest food Detroit has to offer, Go Skate!!!!
