Protecting What We Built: Back SOV Skatepark Faces Damage During Bulkhead Work

A Community Space at Risk

Atlantic City’s Back SOV Skatepark—a hand-built, community-supported space—has stood for years as a symbol of creativity, resilience, and youth empowerment. But during recent bulkhead removal work along the back bay, construction equipment from Remington & Vernick Engineers caused significant, preventable damage to the park’s concrete features.

Several beloved skate obstacles were broken or displaced, including one of the most meaningful pieces in the park: a granite ledge built from original Love Park marble, salvaged from Philadelphia’s legendary skate plaza and installed in memory of a fallen local skateboarder.

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What Happened

As heavy machinery moved through the area, portions of the skatepark’s foundation were disturbed. Without adequate support or protection plans in place, some ledges cracked and shifted.

• The Love Park memorial ledge suffered surface and structural damage.
• The long blue-and-orange ledge was broken in half—likely due to a lack of proper support underneath.
• Parts of the park’s slab are now uneven, exposing skaters to unsafe conditions.

These aren’t just skate obstacles—they’re cultural and emotional landmarks built through volunteer labor, local donations, and years of community care.

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What We’re Asking For

SkateAC is requesting a few basic but crucial steps before any more work continues:

1. Protect What Remains

We need a clear plan for how existing skate features will be supported, stored, or shielded during ongoing construction. That includes knowing exactly which sections of the park will be removed next and how those materials will be handled.

2. Repair What’s Been Damaged

The Love Park memorial ledge deserves professional repair or replacement in-kind. It’s not just concrete and granite—it’s history, legacy, and remembrance. The same goes for the long ledge that cracked during the project.

3. Restore the Surface

When work is complete, the entire surface must be smooth, safe, and consistent. If part of the park is resurfaced and part isn’t, it will skate unevenly and wear down faster. We’re advocating for a uniform sports-grade finish, similar to a roller hockey or basketball court coating, to restore the park’s performance and safety.

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Why This Matters

The Back SOV Skatepark isn’t a commercial facility—it’s a grassroots public space maintained by the skate community and open to everyone. It’s where local kids learn balance, teamwork, and confidence. It’s where art, sport, and youth energy collide in the best way.

When infrastructure projects intersect with community-built recreation spaces, it’s vital that both sides communicate clearly and act with care. Our nonprofit is simply asking for collaboration and accountability so that Atlantic City’s skate culture isn’t paved over in the process of progress.

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TL;DR

• Back SOV Skatepark was damaged during bulkhead construction.
• Memorial ledges—including one made from Love Park marble—were broken.
• SkateAC is calling for:
  1. Protection of remaining features
  2. Repair or replacement of damaged ledges
  3. A smooth, uniform surface once work is complete

We’re not against city improvements—we just want to make sure the community’s contributions are respected and restored.

FAQ

This park was built by hand, by heart, and for everyone. Let’s make sure it survives this next chapter intact.
Donate, volunteer, or connect with SkateAC to help preserve Atlantic City’s skate culture for the next generation.