Dear Supporters,

The Conservancy and Gale Brewer's office responded to my email. 

They both told me that the process (to get the resurfacing redone) is moving forward but it takes time. See quote from Vanessa Diaz-Lopez at Gale Brewers office.

"Capital projects can be quite complex and lengthy. Department of Parks has an extensive process that lasts two to three years from planning to actual completion. Of course, that is a timeline without the impact of COVID and the City's moratorium on capital projects which was restored in January 2021.  The Manhattan Borough President allocated this funding during the moratorium; Fiscal Year 21 (July 1, 2020- June 30, 2021). Given all those factors, the project is on track, and it must follow the process of approvals from DPR, OMB and record the contract at the Comptroller's office. Let's talk through it."

We can't wait another 2 to 3 years for the resurfacing to be done. It has already being 26 years since it the area was last resurfaced. I wrote the following email in reply:

Vanessa (and company),

I am happy to arrange a time to discuss the process with you, which I will do in a separate email. However, from what you have said, it sounds like the resurfacing may not even be done in 2022.

The resurfacing of Skaters Road, from the volley courts on down, will be a win-win for everyone involved. The skating events on the new surface will attract a new generation of skaters who will attract more tourists and spectators. The images and videos of a diverse group of Americans skating and dance skating in Central Park will permeate around the world, letting the world know that democracy is still alive and well in the US, at least in The Skate Circle.  This will help bring more tourists back to the park and city. With the smooth surface, some other support from the CPC, and the better DJs the events will attract, I promise we will put on a great show! The events will say very brightly that “New York is Back!!”

Resurfacing the entire area would be a big win for the CPC and the large events you like to have in the area. I have attached a video I took of the extensive large cracks in the surface. As one passerby said to me, it looks like what you expect to see in a third world country, not in the greatest park in the greatest city in the world. The organizations that pay to have big events there would appreciate a new smooth surface.

As I mentioned previously, the area is already being used for other recreational activities beyond skating – dance classes and yoga classes to name a couple. I am sure you could charge for permits to have classes there throughout the day and evenings. I see this area waiting patiently to be recognized as a place of community, recreation and renewal for all New Yorkers. After COVID-19, there are and will be a lot of lonely people (including myself) needing a place to connect and to heal. I, for one, had made some lifelong friends in the circle since first putting my skates on last April.

I am laying out a vision for what this area of the park could mean to the people of New York, to our park, our city, our country, and to our democracy. I am a leader and a visionary, looking for New York leaders of the same ilk with the power to make what I am pointing out to you a reality. If my email has irritated you thus far, you are not that person.   

Moving forward, I want our organization of skaters to be treated as well as other recreational groups that use the park. I pass by the lawn bowlers on my way to the skate circle. From what I observe (and correct me if I am wrong), they are treated far better than the skaters. They have manicured lawns. We would like a smooth surface to skate on. They have ample storage, a clubhouse with bathrooms and lockers. We would like an indoor storage space where we can store our equipment and charge our batteries. We don’t need a clubhouse with bathrooms and lockers.

Gale told me to stop sending emails like this, that they are “not helpful”. I don’t understand how pointing out some uncomfortable truths about how the people (she swore to protect) are being treated would not be helpful. The fixing of the dangerous cracks and of the lamppost light in the skate circle are still issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible.

I will give you until October 31st to figure out how you can speed up the bureaucratic process, so the skate circle is resurfaced before the next skating season begins in mid to late April 2022. If you don’t get back to me with good news by that time, I promise I won’t write you any more unhelpful emails. At that point, this medium of communication will be too limiting for the narrative you will have given me.

I sincerely hope we will find a way to work together for the good of the people and get this project done. At the end of the day, all I am trying to do is bring all the people together, including the members of the conservancy. So please, after the surface is redone, bring your sons and daughters down to skate. They will love it and gain a lot from the experience of interacting with this group of fun-loving, life-affirming people.

Sincerely,

Anthony