New Soto Skate Park: Where's the challenge? say skateboarders and bikers

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - MIDLAND BEACH - Young skateboard and BMX enthusiasts who previously flocked to Benjamin Soto Skate Park from all over Staten Island expressed astonishment and disappointment last week about what they see as the dumbed-down version of the borough's only skate park. The city's Parks Department reopened the site on June 16.

"This is terrible – there are no ramps – this place is not a skate park any more," said Woodrow resident Matt Duffy , 14, who attends Tottenville High School and gets from his South Shore home to the Midland Beach facility via the Staten Island Railway (SIR).

Great Kills resident Chris Nazzaro , 17, a recent graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School who will enter the College of Staten Island (CSI) as a freshman, agreed. "I'll grind the rails for a little, and then find somewhere else to go," he said.

"The old park was fine – we had a good and decent park – all it needed was repairs," said Joshua Ocasio , a 20-year-old engineering major at CSI who lives in Prince's Bay. "They just tore down everything. It should not have been bulldozed. This is crap."

The Parks Department told the Advance on Monday that "six steel and concrete benches and multiple steel rails planned for the site are now installed," and "a low concrete platform and ramp will be installed this summer."

In a statement, the agency explained that "ramps over three feet require safety equipment and helmets and staff to monitor," adding that "most of the new skate parks being built have primarily 'street elements.'

"We hope to add concrete ramps, bowls and other elements when we have funding, but we will not be adding ramps over three feet as has been discussed with the community and elected officials on previous occasions," the agency said.

"This is a slap in the face," said Stephen Quigley , 17, of Grant City, a constant presence at the skate park for the past four years. "It's like taking tackle out of football."

"It's a disgrace that it's come down to this, and there's only this to show," said a disgusted Tim Cox , 15, of Bulls Head, a BMX enthusiast who attends McKee High School and sometimes rides his bike from the West Shore to Midland Beach when he cannot catch a car ride.

Australian Blokes Build Impressive Off Road Skateboard » Geeky Gadgets

The constant improving has paid off with these sweet machines that, as the picture above indicates, are fully capable of transporting its rider off road. The real genius of FiiK, however, is they have grown within the confines of a simple skateboard. Simply put, there are a lot of FiiK variants available, from a rugged snowboard type to something more suitable to a trip around the corner.

Another interesting feature of the FiiK family is the modular options. The tires and [rechargeable] batteries of the different FiiK types are replaceable with more attractive replacements that could increase the ride’s performance to 37km/h. FiiK’s also come with a handgun shaped remote that’s not suited for pewpewing neighbors but perfect for controlling the brake system.

Having dealt with the cool details, here’s the part that will make you go ‘Argh!’ A single Fiik skateboard with a souped up iron phosphate battery costs $1600.

feeling good despite road rash, whiplash, inflexible elbow. face planting off of one's skateboard onto an Atlanta sidewalk is not pleasant.

My sister dropped me off on the side of the road so I could get off and skateboard! Cool beans :)

Having the best and funniest day I've had in a long time. Aimee falling off a skateboard + road rage = priceless.

oh yeah and their was this guy who was skateboarding down the road & he fell off his skateboard & then he was like (c)

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