Tampa Bay Skaters Push City Planners for More Public Skate Space

A conflict over public space usage in the Tampa Bay area has moved from informal complaints to a structured proposal. Local skaters are using a new publication as a tool to pressure city officials for architectural changes that accommodate their sport. The central argument is that current urban design in St. Petersburg often excludes skateboarders in favor of other recreational users.

The catalyst for this effort is the release of "Pelican," a 220-page hardcover photo book by photographer Adam Hadden and professional skateboarder Jimmy Lannon. The publication, produced for Magenta Skateboards, features street skating images taken over a four-year period. Hadden compiled the photos and spent the final eighteen months self-publishing the work. The book will be available for $55 at the launch event, with 150 signed copies on hand. Online availability is expected shortly after the initial release.

Hadden stated that the project aims to start a conversation about skate-friendly architecture in the Bay area. He noted that other cities have embraced skaters rather than fighting them, suggesting that St. Petersburg could adopt a similar approach. "Our end goal after the book is to have a tangible item we can present to city officials and say, 'Hey, let’s try to make skating a little more progressive towards the city,'" Hadden said. The objective is to create multi-use areas for skatable culture, rather than restricting activity to dedicated skate parks.

Lannon, who appears on the cover of the book, recently worked with "Connect," a skate urbanism festival in Bordeaux, France. He cited that city's infrastructure as a model for planning that benefits all residents. "We’re all people just sharing these spaces and making cities more inviting and friendly, which promotes mental health and physical health for everybody," Lannon said. He plans to build relationships with local planners and elected officials by the end of 2026 to make public areas less defensive for skaters.

Lannon highlighted a specific disparity in current enforcement. "On the St. Pete Pier, the second they see skaters jumping around and playing, we get kicked out, but rollerbladers and longboarders are fine," he said. He hopes to address this inconsistency by introducing skate sculptures designed specifically for skateboarders. The release event will include screenings of two local skate videos, "Glasses" by Ryan Bambery and "Florid" by Lannon, starting at 9 p.m.

The launch is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. at The Bends, 919 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Admission is free. The event will feature the book sales and the video screenings.