Benjamin Soto died while serving his country as a US Marine in 2001.  In 2005, a life long dream of his came true when the Benjamin Soto Skate Park was opened in Midland Beach, Staten Island.  In the six years since it was opened Ben Soto park has been the center of a growing population of skaters, bmx cyclists, and skooter kids on Staten Island.

On Monday, April 18, 2011 the Ben Soto Skate Park was leveled by bull dozers.  The Parks Department claims that the Park had become a hazzard due to vandalism and misuse.  All of this despite months (if not years) of pleas by the users of the park to have maintenance done on the various ramps and rails which had deteriorated as a result of typical usage (not vandalism).

The Parks Department now says that if all goes according to plan, they will have a NEW park up and going within 3 weeks.  All well and good EXCEPT these plans call for the installation of what is being called  “modern streetscape elements,” including reinforced steel picnic tables, granites steps, cement planters and a single pipe rail.  While Borough Parks Commissioner Adena Long says “These are things you would generally see in any public plaza or public park, and quite frankly, is what the kids like to play on anyway,” they actually have virtually nothing to do with a SKATE and BMX Park.

Every other borough in New York has exactly such a skate park.  Staten Island had one until this past Monday.  

It is our feeling that not only should the Benjamin Soto SKATE Park be replaced with an actual SKATE park but that the planing of such a facility should at the very least have the input of the users of the park...the skaters, bmx and skooter riders should have a say in what is built.

Thank you.