Skaters from around the city have been flocking to the new skate park in Astoria Park that officially opened last week. The park was inspired by Athens Square Park visitors who were sick and tired of kids flouting the rules about skating and rollerblading. Project initiator George Delis told the Queens Gazette, “I asked kids if they would leave Athens Square Park if we built a skate park here, and they said ‘absolutely.'" And they were so enthusiastic, they didn't even wait until the ribbon cutting! more ›

Yesterday, the Parks Department, city and state officials, and Joe and Gavin Maloof cut the ribbon to open a new skate park at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Today and tomorrow, the skate park, which features skating elements from all over the city, will host the Maloof Money Cup with skaters competing for a $250,000 in cash and prizes. more ›

Earlier this week, construction got started on a new skate park near the 1964 World's Fair site in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The 16,000 square foot course, which is being built above the old Astral Fountain, will feature elements from around the city: "Original Brooklyn Banks 9-stair replica rail; Union Square rail/steps Police Plaza 7-stair rail/various stairs; Ziegfeld ledge; Chrystie Park ledge; Exchange Place street gap; JFK Banks; Con Ed Banks; Pyramid ledges; Flushing Meadows Park ledge-over-the-grate replica." more ›

A tipster passed along an email from Steve Rodriguez, owner of 5boro Skateboards, which outlines information about the Department of Transportation's plans for Brooklyn Banks, the popular Manhattan skate park under the Brooklyn Bridge. The unofficial skating area will be closed due to the DOT's multiyear bridge rehab project. more ›

The Downtown Express reports that an area under the Brooklyn Bridge that's a popular skatepark called Brooklyn Banks (video) will probably be closing: "The city plans to use the internationally known Brooklyn Banks skate park as a staging area during the Brooklyn Bridge reconstruction, which is starting later this year and will last until 2014," according to the Parks Department. And the Department of Transportation "said the city would definitely need the space" at some point. more ›