Lebanon’s first public skate park is breathing life into the streets of Beirut despite one of the worst economic crises to hit the country in decades.
The skate park became a reality after locals teamed up with international skaters in a global crowdfunding campaign, raising money from both businesses and private donors.
It is bringing back some normality for the youth in Beirut, after 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate ripped through the city last August, destroying hundreds of buildings and killing about 200 people.
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Danny Sultan, 25, attempts a 50-50 grind at Snoubar Skatepark in Beirut, Lebanon. -
Snoubar Skatepark is the first public skatepark in Lebanon's capital city. -
The free-of-charge park opened earlier this month. -
The park was created by Make Life Skate Life, a non-governmental organisation that develops skateparks. -
The park was made possible thanks to Air France, CHPO Brand, Decathlon Skateboarding and more than $18,000 in crowdsourcing funds. -
The park is open to everyone, regardless of age and ability. -
There will also be free classes teaching underprivileged youth how to skateboard. -
Snoubar Skatepark is based in the centre of Beirut. -
A relief fund in support of Lebanon's skateboarding community was set up after the explosion in the Port of Beirut in August 2020. -
Yasser Mehsen, 17, takes a break from riding and slacklines at Snoubar Skatepark. -
Roberto Nader, 25, performs a boardslide on a rail at the public skatepark. -
Skateboarder Danny Sultan, 25, ollies over a concrete slab as the sun starts to set in the city of Beirut. -
The park attracts a large crowd, despite only being open for a few weeks. -
The project aims to help the city's youth boost their resilience and psycho-social well-being. -
Lebanon was one of the few countries in the Middle East with no public skatepark. -
Snoubar Skatepark took only six weeks to be constructed. -
Bikers can also use the park. Yasser Mehsen, 17, eyes his landing after catching air off of a quarter pipe. -
Classes are available to children and young adults who live in the Shatila refugee camp, located next to the skatepark. -
Skateboarders and bike riders explore the pavement at Snoubar Skatepark. -
Skateboards and safety gear are available for use at the skatepark. -
The skatepark aims to provide a place of leisure and joy the whole community can enjoy.
The skate park is located in one of the very few spaces available for free to the public in Beirut, after the local municipality offered the land for the project.
Once the money was raised, skateboarders from around the world flocked to Lebanon to help build the park. It has been a much-needed escape for children and young people in Lebanon living without power and suffering frequent internet outages sparked by fuel shortages.
“There’s no electricity, no internet, we have nothing at home”, said 19-year-old university student Nicholas.
He said he spent his entire summer with his friends, improving his skateboard moves, and taking his mind off the country's countless problems.
“I needed to leave the house, be outside. I didn’t know anyone at the park, but now they’re all my friends. They help me advance my skating skills, and they help me turn around my life."
