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Message |
    
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 921
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 8:36 pm: | 
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Any readers of the Star-Ledger (we don't subscribe): I would love a heads up if you see a picture of skateboarders at the opening of a new skate park in Irvington...took my 3rd grader yesterday & there were reporters covering the opening...had my 21 month old along, who was wearing an old bike helmet (his new obsession) & carring a kid skateboard...his picture was taken by a bunch of folks & the guy from the Star-Ledger took his name/age...would love to find a copy if it ends up running, as it was pretty cute.
Thanks! |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 681
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 10:45 pm: |
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new skatepark in Irvington???? Tell me more - I had no idea. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 923
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 8:02 am: |
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The town (not sure who all was behind it) got grant money &/or gov't funds to bring recreation space to an urban area...Marie from Transcend Skate Shop was there and said there are about 50k worth of ramps...very nice, big, fenced facility (outside) with adjacent basketball courts, tennis courts (to be refurbished,I think), playground & I think there are plans for a community center & more...not a huge residential vibe - some vacant lots etc., but I think the hope (council folks were there kicking it off) is revitalization...
To get there, head down Springfield past Quickcheck & then almost immediately turn Right on Chancellor. Just after going over the parkway (?) take a right on a mostly residential street & you will see it - by a school I think. Helmets required. |
amelia
Citizen
Username: Amelia
Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 3, 2006 - 8:14 am: |
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Doulamomma, There was a split second clip on the channel 9 news on Wed. night. No great visual though of the skatepark or the kids unfortunately. It was a busy crime night unfortunately, the good news isn't as important!
Amelia |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 683
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 3:05 pm: |
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I visited the skatepark this morning. It wasn't open (argh!!), but I took some shots (see below). The park looks okay at best - if Irvington spent $50k on the ramps, they got ripped off. I could make those ramps myself for about $5k, at most ($500-1k for each of the quarter pipes, $2k for the big fun box, $250 for the two small fun boxes, $1k for random stuff). The big blue and white walls would be perfect for a huge vert wallride ramp.
Good things about the park: a great new playground behind the blue/white wall, nice smooth pavement.
Bad things: pre-fab, small, scary neighborhood.
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marie
Citizen
Username: Marie
Post Number: 1399
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2006 - 10:22 am: |
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composerjohn,
the ramps are from a company called skatewave? they are steel with a kind of polyurethane/plastic sprayed on coating. the edison skatepark has the same equiptment - it's extremely durable - holds up to bike use and is completelely weather resistant. the skaters love it!
doulamomma - if i can figure out how to work my new shop cam i'll try to get a still photo from the video i took of your son. makes me smile everytime i picture him. if you're not busy today, we're holding an event at the shop that your older son might enjoy.
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irl
Citizen
Username: Irl
Post Number: 204
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2006 - 11:24 am: |
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Since we're on the subject, how does one TEACH a kid to skateboard? My son got one for Christmas, but I don't know how to teach him.
Actually, I'm having the same question for rollerblading, too. |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 2993
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2006 - 12:49 pm: |
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IRL: You don't teach the kid to skateboard, they teach you!
Seriously, hop on a bit and you will see why adults with higher (and wider) centers of gravity should not be on these things.
I think you should go to Transcend and ask Marie to show you how to board--does she ever ride them herself? LOL.
Okay, all kidding aside. Helmet, wrist pads are a must. Elbow and knee pads are a good idea but kids resist these. Have him start on a flat paved area, one foot on board, one pushing off, and get used to gliding with both feet on the board, perhaps leaning to steer a bit. Get used to falling, also. Tell him to keep his knees bent a bit to center his weight on the board.
Get him to Transcend to watch some skate videos, and hang out at a skate park to watch other kids. He will pick it up quickly. |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 685
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 8:54 am: |
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marie - thanks for the info. I still think $50k is way too expensive. But I'm glad they'll last a while.
irl - the best way to learn to skate is to get on a board and just do it. I taught myself to skate back in 1987 before private lessons and videos were popular (or even offered). A good sense of balance is required. Good luck. PL if you want more advice. |
amelia
Citizen
Username: Amelia
Post Number: 30
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:22 am: |
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Don't forget the "Launch and Grind" classes at the YMCA. Kevin has been teaching for 9 years there and is the one who rallied us over to the ribbon cutting in Irvington. One of his students had been taking from him for 6 years and was totally awesome!! |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2900
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
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At what age is it appropriate to start getting them on a board? My 7-year-old loves his Razor scooter (and couldn't seem to care less about his bike) and might be interested in skateboarding, but I certainly have no clue. Is there a "starter" board that's less expensive than your "full-fledged" somewhat cost prohibitive board? I understand you have to buy the board and the wheels seperately? Again, I would have no clue about that either.
I suppose a trip to Transcend is in order, but I'd like to be a little bit informed before I head over.
Interesting to hear there is a class at the Y. I never would have imagined. |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 687
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
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I've seen skaters as young as four! As long as he isn't afraid of falling, he should be okay. I've skated for 18 years, and although I've fallen hundreds of times, I've never broken a bone or had a serious injury (knock on wood).
Visit Transcend and check out their selection. Try to avoid buying a cheap board from a toy store or Target. They're inexpensive, but they're also poorly constructed and terrible for learning.
Good luck! |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 939
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 5:52 pm: |
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Thanks all - especially Marie!
Wendyn reminded me that I know someone who works at the Star-Ledger, so I was able to find out the following:
coverage will probably run Feb. 23 in one of the In the Towns sections |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1170
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 2:52 pm: |
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I just curious, but why are there so many skaters all around the Farmer's Market parking lot on the weekends RATHER than using the skate park that was built for them on Boyden?
I understand that the parking lot is close to the skate shop, I get it. But still, wouldn't you expect them to using the good facilities that were designed for them, rather than the parking lot and (I'm not kidding) a wood box to jump over.
"Hey dude, let's meet at the parking lot and jump the box again and again!!! That was so rad! |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 690
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 7:11 pm: |
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Alley - in my opinion, the Maplewood skatepark is terrible. It's boring, small, and poorly designed.
The Irvington skatepark is a little better, but not much. Chatham has a good park. There are also great parks in NYC. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 947
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 9:27 pm: |
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composer - where are some of those good NYC skateparks - would love to check one out over the Feb. school break... |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 691
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 10:33 pm: |
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1) Riverside Skatepark at 108th street and Riverside Drive. Not sure if it's open during the winter months. It's a free park and really a lot of fun. It's big too, with three half pipes (one vert), tons of quarter pipes, and lots of other obstacles.
2) Chelsea Piers Skatepark - http://www.chelseapiers.com/rrextreme.htm. Here's a picture:
3) Pier 26/Hudson River Skatepark. I think it's near Canal Street. It has a kindey shaped bowl. It's free. Here's a picture (bowl is behind camera):
4) Owl's Head Skatepark in Bayridge, Brooklyn (68th and Wakeman Place). Awesome concrete park. Here are a few pictures:
5) X-Ramps in Brookyln (I think 20th street) - fun little indoor park, with a really fun mini-spine ramp.
I'm sure they're others (Tylenol Bown at Autumn Skateshop, etc) - check around. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1171
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:35 pm: |
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So your telling me that the skate park on Boyden sucks compared to the completely flat parking lot and (no sh*t) a wood box to jump over? |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 692
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 7:44 am: |
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well... the parking lot is close to a great skateshop with couches and a flat screen television. The skatepark is close to nothing, except the pool during the summer and a few random shops around the corner.
Ramp skating isn't terribly popular these days. Most kids are practicing technical street tricks, like kickflip variations, etc. A flat parking lot is the ideal place to perfect these tricks. The skateparks pictured above, especially Chelsea Piers and Pier 26, are street skater friendly - lots of banks, rails, and "wooden boxes". I don't think the Boyden Ave park is street friendly - one small rail and a couple poorly placed ramps is not worth the trip. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1174
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 1:53 pm: |
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So here is the million dollar question then...
Is it worth fixing the Boyden Ave park if no one is going to bother going to it? |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 694
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 2:10 pm: |
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Yes, the Boyden Ave park is worth fixing up. I think if the park was revamped and enlarged, it would be a big draw (I travelled many miles to good parks). But it will probably cost around $20-30k to improve it. The pre-fab ramps (like Boyden and Irvington Parks), will always cost much more. Ironcially, there are never as good as the custom made parks. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 955
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
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I believe the Boyden park is moving in the spring or summer (to SO or near Maplewood town I think)...wonder if there is a way to get involved & give them some guidance/suggestions? |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 695
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 3:46 pm: |
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I would be more than happy to advise, help build, etc. Who should I contact? It would be a missed opportunitiy not to substantially improve the park with the move. |
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