In the heart of Lawrence Gardens, a colonial-era botanical park in the center of the bustling Pakistani city Lahore, stands something new: the country’s first public skatepark. Founded in the spring of 2023 by the nonprofit Skate Pakistan, the skatepark was built with the help of professional skateboarders Kenny Reed and Nestor Judkins, the volunteer group Salad Days of Skateboarding, and the nonprofit Wonders Around the World. In just two years, a small grassroots initiative has grown into a vibrant, lasting community.
The need for safe play spaces could hardly be greater. Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change; in Lahore, smog and extreme heat have made childhood staples like swimming and street cricket nearly impossible. The Ravi River has dried up, the Nehr Canal is too polluted to enter, and the city’s traffic-choked streets leave little room for games.
Against this backdrop, Skate Pakistan has become a rare refuge. Skaters of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels roll side by side. First-timers share ramps with seasoned riders; friendships cut across class lines. In a country where identity is often bound up in caste and status, the skateboard is a rare equalizer—an object that, quite literally, levels the playing field.