FILE - In this June 21, 2005 file photo, skateboarders participate in an international "Wild in the Streets" event to raise awareness of the skateboarding community in Love Park in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, city officials broke ground on a $16.5 million, yearlong renovation of the park, requiring a temporary relocation of the park's namesake Robert Indiana sculpture, expected to receive about four months of restoration work. (Mike Mooney/The Evening Bulletin via AP, File) PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER OUT; PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS OUT; METRO OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Skateboarders in Philadelphia are feeling the love from Love Park now that the mayor has temporarily lifted a ban on skating there until it closes for renovations.
Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney made the announcement Wednesday during a groundbreaking ceremony for the park and welcome center's $20 million facelift.
The park is a skateboarding haven. Kenney urges skaters to take advantage of it until it closes Feb. 15. He tells skaters they're "part of the fabric" of Love Park. He says granite removed during the overhaul will be used in skate parks across the city.
Skater Luke Darigan tells The Philadelphia Inquirer he's taking time off work to make the most of the opportunity.
Robert Indiana's iconic "LOVE" statue will be moved across the street to City Hall's Dilworth Plaza during the yearlong renovation.
FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2004, file photo, the Rev. Jeffrey Jordan, left, and David Pickett, both from Philadelphia, exchange rings and vows at a same-sex commitment ceremony in Love Park in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, city officials broke ground on a $16.5 million, yearlong renovation of the park, requiring a temporary relocation of the park's Robert Indiana sculpture, expected to receive about four months of restoration work. (AP Photo/Mike Mergen, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this March 26, 2012, file photo, people participate in a vigil held in support of Trayvon Martin at Love Park in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, city officials broke ground on a $16.5 million, yearlong renovation of the park, requiring a temporary relocation of the park's Robert Indiana sculpture, expected to receive about four months of restoration work. (AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2010, file photo, people pose for a photograph during a winter storm at John F. Kennedy Plaza, also known as Love Park, in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, city officials broke ground on a $16.5 million, yearlong renovation of the park, requiring a temporary relocation of the park's Robert Indiana sculpture, expected to receive about four months of restoration work. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2015, file photo, Stephane Fosik, from left, Cedrine Plongeur and Cloe Tinchant light candles in the shape of a peace symbol to remember victims of attacks that killed 130 people in Paris, during a vigil in Love Park in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, city officials broke ground on a $16.5 million, yearlong renovation of the park, requiring a temporary relocation of the park's Robert Indiana sculpture, expected to receive about four months of restoration work. (AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this March 27, 2015, file photo, a young man climbs on a sculpture by Robert Indiana, at JFK Plaza, commonly known as Love Park, in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, city officials broke ground on a $16.5 million, yearlong renovation of the park, requiring a temporary relocation of the park's Robert Indiana sculpture, expected to receive about four months of restoration work. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
The Associated Press