We, the undersigned, advocate for creating dedicated public spaces for roller skating within the NYC Parks jurisdiction of New York City.

We request that NYC Parks include a representative of the roller skating community on all current and future skatepark projects and collect input from roller skaters during each stage of NYC Parks’ development and design processes for public spaces and parks. In particular, we request that NYC Parks involve roller skating representatives in the Mt. Prospect Brooklyn Skate Garden project and the parks projects underway in Soundview and Allerton in the Bronx.

For current and future park design projects, we request the inclusion of a smooth, flat and leveled, continuous, and covered surface, spanning between 1,250 and 4,500 square feet, preferably lighted, facilitating free year-round use for skaters of all ages, and skill levels, and all physical abilities.

Roller skaters, in-liners, skateboarders, and enthusiasts of all ages alike stand to benefit from such a space and contribute to building stronger, inclusive, and diverse communities.

Background:

As passionate members of the skating community in New York City, we have witnessed the gradual decline of our once-thriving roller rink culture. From the late 1970s to the early 2000s, our city boasted numerous vibrant roller rinks, which served as epicenters of Black and Latin contributions to roller skate culture and dance/music scenes overall. 

However, many of these establishments were forced to close their doors due to various factors, exacerbating the lack of safe spaces for these communities to skate and perpetuating the erasure of their cultural legacy. Consequently, skaters have limited access to suitable spaces for our sport and community. The absence of safe spaces for all ages, especially the Black and Latin communities, to skate also perpetuates systemic inequalities, depriving them of avenues for self-expression and community bonding while reinforcing exclusionary norms within skate culture.

Even before the pandemic, we noticed a shift towards "underground" skating, as traditional rinks dwindled in number. By 2020, this trend accelerated, with more skaters turning to public spaces out of necessity. The closure of rinks due to social distancing requirements during the pandemic further exacerbated the situation, prompting skaters to seek out any smooth, flat surface available – be it the streets, parking lots, parks, or piers

Our Vision:

We recognize the resilience of our skate community, but the closure of the last brick-and-mortar establishment in NYC leaves us facing a city devoid of rinks. For those without cars, traveling to distant skating spots becomes a logistical challenge, involving coordinated bus rides, carpooling, or lengthy public transit journeys. The struggle to return home after a skate night underscores the importance of providing accessible spaces for passionate skaters.

Our Call to Action:

We urge local authorities in New York City to acknowledge the value that roller skating brings – as a form of both physical exercise and mental health wellbeing, as well as a means of community connection – by establishing dedicated spaces where skaters can roll freely without fear of disruption or closure. Both in outdoor NYC parks and expanding within the NYC Parks Recreation Centers, such as the existing program at St. John’s Rec. Center.

Join Us:

The challenges are real, but together, we can revive and preserve our city's rich skating heritage. Please lend your support by signing this petition if you believe in providing safe and accessible spaces for New York City's roller skating community!