Let Me Tell You is a series of columns from our experienced editors about life in NYC, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. They appear every Tuesday, so you’ll hear from us every week. For the last time from Things to Do Editor Rossilynne Skena Culgan shared her experiences researching and writing about the many secrets of NYC.
The skaters of New York City ask for some space on the dance floor.
As a quad skater, it is almost impossible to find a smooth surface in New York City. As I mentioned in my last column, there are only a few permanent roller rinks in the city (Bushwick’s new Xanadu Roller Arts, Pier 2 in Brooklyn Heights, the ice rink at Riverbank State Park in Harlem; Staten Island’s RollerJam USA just closed in May)Instead, New York City’s skaters must practice their sport on empty volleyball courts, empty school playgrounds, and far-off ice rinks.
RECOMMENDED: NYC roller skaters find a new home at Xanadu in Bushwick
But since June 2021, Pier 76 in Hudson River Park has been an unexpected boon to the skating community, providing a reliable place to meet and skate without worrying about taking someone else’s space.
No more scattering when tennis players arrive with their racquets or waiting for students to leave the schoolyards. Driving as far as Long Island or Bushwick is a thing of the past, and no more worrying about hills, cracks and uneven pavement.
The 22,500-square-foot pier behind the Javits Center is the widest and flattest space available, but in a few years it too could be gone.
As reported earlier this month, Pier 76 is undergoing some major changes that could mean major losses for skaters.
Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a bill allowing development on the pier, including rides, tourist attractions, water transportation facilities and floating restaurants, with a commitment to preserve 50% of it as parkland. The new law also lifts some restrictions on offshore vessels and allows commercial development, and allows the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) to request proposals for a possible site for a helipad, in hopes of relocating an existing site away from West 30th.
The aim is to keep the public space open while generating revenue to maintain Hudson River Park. Pier 76 faces repair and reconstruction costs of up to $150 million to avoid removing the public space on the pier.
There is currently no timeline or implementation plan, but skaters are already fearing the worst – the loss of their space – and have started a petition calling for the preservation of a safe, inclusive, accessible and free skate space.
“We ask that HRPT view the redesign of Pier 76 as an opportunity to create a space unlike any other in the city: one specifically designed and intended for this type of roller skating (similar to the Skate Dance Plaza in Venice Beach, California),” the petition states. “We ask for an area of flat and level, smooth and continuous poured concrete, with an area of more than 15,000 square feet, preferably well-lit and partially covered to allow free year-round use by roller skaters of all ages, skill levels and physical abilities.”
Last Tuesday I checked out the plaza for myself and went skating with the community that calls the pier home. I arrived at sunset, when about a dozen inline and quad skaters (of all ages and skill levels) glided freely across the massive plaza, practicing smooth dance moves. As the sun disappeared behind the Hudson River and the sky lit up with shades of pink and orange, I realized why they’re trying to protect this stretch of street.
The surface is not only relatively smooth and without cracks, but also open and large enough to all to express yourself, practice, and spend time together without getting in each other’s way. It feels free because it is. There’s no entry fee and no one steps on your feet (or skates).
“Skaters are considered almost unwelcome in many areas.”
“There are several things that make it a perfect haven for skating, but the main thing is the amount of space and the fact that it’s a flat surface, which is especially important for beginners learning to skate, and the sheer amount of space,” Janette Johnston, the skater who started the petition, tells me. “I feel like skaters are seen as almost undesirable in many areas: we get thrown off tennis courts, we get shouted at by cyclists, even in the bike lane. And so this square is a place where we can get out of everyone else’s way and they get out of our way too.”
Jenzia Burgos, the figure skater who wrote our first report on Xanadu and its importance to the figure skating community, actually trains at Pier 76 and says it’s the only place she feels comfortable trying new things because she can stretch out. “When you fall (on a rink), you’re falling in close proximity to other people,” she says. “There’s also the fear of knocking people over and grabbing them, which you just don’t want to do. So here, the environment is a little more controlled with the space, so you can just grow as a figure skater. There’s room to breathe. And there’s also a great community of people here who are ready to help you right away.”
“Central Park cannot be the only place in Manhattan where people can connect with the earth or with themselves…”
It’s also more centrally located – at least compared to Bushwick, Harlem and Brooklyn Heights. But perhaps most importantly, admission is free and the store is open daily.
“People in this community also need a place to relax and enjoy the sun,” Liberty Girl Melody Olivera tells me. “You know, Central Park can’t be the only place in Manhattan where people can connect with the earth or connect with themselves, their bodies or their community.”
Not only that, but it’s also really beautiful. The pier juts out into the river, providing a nice breeze and stunning views of the west side of Manhattan and Jersey. It’s more similar to the Skate Dance Plaza in Venice Beach than you might think.
“It’s best to walk here at sunset to get really beautiful shots and videos,” says Ariana Santiago. “But if you want to get out of the city, this is also the perfect place to just lay down and look out at the water and even New Jersey. We’re right in the water!”
When I asked skaters what they wanted from the authorities and city officials for their beloved place, some said they didn’t want any changes. However, others were open to it as long as their community was taken into account.
That could be a piece of sidewalk that rollerbladers, quad skaters and longboarders can use and that is out of the way of others, including cyclists, pedestrians and pets. Additionally, restrooms, access to affordable food and some sort of shelter to protect them from the rain would also be high on the list.
A skater named Donnie, who started the Pier 76 Skate account on Instagram, just wants his voice to be heard.
“I would just say, ‘Please don’t take this home away from me,'” he says. “It’s like a second home to me. I’ve made a lot of cool memories here, met a lot of cool people and learned a lot too. So ultimately, I hope they take into account the fact that people come here (regularly) and love it here.”
When I heard this, I thought I’d ask the source how the skating community is involved in decisions about the park.
“Parkland means grass, fields and playgrounds, but also open spaces that can be used by the public for various purposes, including skating,” said Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who supports the bill and the upcoming changes.
“Importantly, community members have the opportunity to comment on the changes to the park as part of the public planning process,” he continued. “Our bill also creates a community-led process to once and for all allow the relocation of the West 30th Street helipad from the park property, creating even more park space for all types of activities.”
Finally, a spokesperson for the Hudson River Park Trust told me that they were aware that there was an active skating community at Pier 76 and that they would involve that community in the design process.
“To achieve our two long-term goals for the pier – creating a great public open space and generating revenue to support the overall care and maintenance of Hudson River Park – the entire pier must be remodeled,” the spokesperson said. “As is our practice, we will eventually engage in a collaborative design process where skaters and other stakeholders can voice their desires for the open space.”
The skaters are ready to raise their voices.
“In the meantime, we have found a community, we have found a home here,” says Johnston.
You can sign the petition here.
