Downtown in Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Perry Harvey, Sr., Park Skateboard Bowl

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 19, 2016

1. Perry Harvey, Sr., Park Skateboard Bowl Marker

Inscription. Under Mayor William Poe's direction, the Perry Harvey, Sr., Park Skateboard Bowl opened in 1979 as part of a recreational park for the Central Park Village community. As Florida's first municipal ride-at-your-own-risk skateboard facility, it offered the public a free opportunity to experience the emerging sport of skateboarding. Built on city planner Joel Jackson's original idea, it was designed in the sport's early "surf-style" and featured a "snake run" down into a bowl where skaters were tested by a series of large humps called "moguls." Often called the "Bro Bowl," a reflection of its diverse urban setting, it was revered by area skaters, drew riders globally, and was popularized in mass media with a documentary and popular video game. In 2013, it became the first skateboarding structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places because of its role in the sport's development, influence on skate culture, and architectural significance as one of the last remaining "Golden Age" skate parks. Before being demolished in 2015 as part of the area's redevelopment, the original bowl was scanned using laser imaging technology

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so a near identical copy could be replicated within the park's expanded skate facility.

Erected 2015 by City of Tampa, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-877.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1979.

Location. 27° 57.301′ N, 82° 27.337′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It is in Downtown. It is on North Orange Avenue 0.1 miles north of East Harrison Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in park situated between N Orange Ave and Central Ave. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 N Orange Ave, Tampa FL 33602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 19, 2016

2. Perry Harvey, Sr., Park Skateboard Bowl Marker

Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Music Legends of Central Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Avenue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kid Mason Community Center (about 300 feet away); International Longshoremen’s Association Local #1402 (about 400 feet away); Fort Brooke Mass Grave (about 500 feet away); Tampa Native Americans (about 500 feet away); 29 Sea Captains and Mariners (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Shot of park looking north from marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 19, 2016

3. Shot of park looking north from marker

View of park looking south toward marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 19, 2016

4. View of park looking south toward marker

View from marker looking south image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 19, 2016

5. View from marker looking south

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 938 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on May 6, 2017, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 24, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.