Following a relief fund in support of Lebanon’s skateboarding community after the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, NGO Make Life Skate Life has opened the country’s first public skate park at Beirut’s Horsh park.
Despite Lebanon having an active skateboarding scene, it has so far only existed on unsafe roadsides, abandoned plots and quiet backstreets, due to a lack of public spaces for recreational activities.
Amid Beirut’s limited public spaces, a haven exists for young skaters.
At the Snoubar skatepark, they find solace in motion, their boards becoming vessels to escape the relentless hardships of the crisis and a means to break free of discrimination — for a little while. In July 2021, Lebanon welcomed its first-ever public skate park — a sprawling 1,100-square-meter facility situated in Horsh Beirut, on the Tariq al-Jadideh side.
Lebanon’s largest public garden, Horsh Beirut, opened its gates in summer 2021 to welcome Beirut’s residents to its latest—and most surprising—addition: the Snoubar Skatepark. A concrete jungle of ramps encompasses one corner of the garden, drawing together an odd mix of strangers to enjoy what little public space is left in the city. Parents bring their children for minor lessons in skating,
Lebanon’s largest public garden, Horsh Beirut, opened its gates in summer 2021 to welcome Beirut’s residents to its latest—and most surprising—addition: the Snoubar Skatepark. A concrete jungle of ramps encompasses one corner of the garden, drawing together an odd mix of strangers to enjoy what little public space is left in the city. Parents bring their children for minor lessons in skating,
Die schrecklichen Bilder der gewaltigen Explosion im Hafen von Beirut gingen unmittelbar um die Welt. Genauso schnell folgte eine Welle der Solidarität – mit weltweiten Spendenaufrufen für die Menschen im Libanon. Mit den eingenommenen Spendengeldern unterstützt die Kindernothilfe die Arbeit ihrer Partnerorganisationen vor Ort. Damit können sie Kindern und ihren Familien in dieser Not- situation helfen und sie schützen. So etwa auch Marc, neun Jahre
alt, der die traumatisierenden Minuten in Beirut miterlebt hat und nun therapeutische Hilfe durch unsere Partner bekommt
In refugee communities around the world, children and youth face daily discrimination, exclusion, and limited access to safe spaces for self-expression. In Lebanon, Just.Childhood is flipping that narrative—on a skateboard.
In Lebanon’s refugee camps, Just.Childhood’s skateboarding program empowers youth with resilience, life skills, and hope for a brighter future.
Lebanon’s first public skatepark is located at the urban park Horsh in the center of Beirut. A refugee program was established immediately after completion of the skatepark. Three times per week, local coaches in collaboration with the local NGO Just Childhood run skate classes with refugees.
A free-of-charge skateboard lending program with skateboards and safety gear available for use at the skatepark is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 5pm. Girls only sessions take place on Saturdays from 1 to 2pm.
