You might have stumbled upon videos on Instagram showcasing a unique skate spot in New York City. Officially named Under the K Bridge Park, this new location is situated in Northern Brooklyn, next to a recycling center and bus depot.
At first glance, it might appear to be another public city park adopted by skaters, similar to Tompkins or TF West. However, K Bridge Park stands out as something different.
This park is an anomaly, breaking the established norms for newly constructed public spaces in New York. Spanning seven acres, it boasts numerous skate-friendly obstacles. The ledges and stairs feature coping, and no one seems to mind the ramps, rails, or the daily presence of skaters.
So, what exactly is K Bridge Park? Is it a standard city park, a designated skatepark, or something else? Should we be concerned about a potential crackdown, or is it being used as intended? To uncover the answers, we spoke with several individuals involved in the park’s development, and here’s the story behind Brooklyn’s newest hotspot.
Skaters at K Bridge Park
K Bridge Park is categorized as an “open public space,” rather than an official NYC skatepark. It features skateable ledges with steel coping and handrails, which are integrated into the design to enhance the skate-friendly environment. This means there are no plans to add knobs to ledges or rails. The park is not managed by the city but rather by a nonprofit group called the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance.
While it is not the first park in the area to be managed by a private organization, it is the first to welcome skaters to freely hang out and practice without fear of being ejected or harassed by security or other park visitors.
The vision for K Bridge Park began in 2019 when the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance secured a $100,000 grant. This funding was allocated to hiring a park designer and conducting community sessions to gather input on the park’s design. The challenge was transforming a largely desolate area next to an industrial zone into an appealing and worthwhile project.
Skaters using the obstacles at K Bridge Park
K Bridge Park has more in common with public spaces in European cities than those in New York. While it resembles a typical plaza, it lacks the elaborate stonework, wooden benches, and statues often found in New York City parks.
Katie Horowitz, the Executive Director for the NBPA, explained that the intention was always to create something unique. “We ultimately selected a design firm called Public Work, based in Toronto, because they had designed The Bentway, a beautiful space under the Gardner Expressway in Toronto.”
Both The Bentway and K Bridge Park are considered “El Spaces,” which refers to locations under elevated roads, bridges, and overpasses. This made hiring a firm with experience in similar projects a logical choice. During this phase, the local community was notably in agreement, with no conflicting interests slowing the process. As Katie mentioned, “The space itself was so unexpected that people didn’t feel that ownership they feel with parks that are closer to their home.”
A skater grinding on a ledge at K Bridge Park
K Bridge Park was intentionally designed with skate-friendly features, a rare concept in the US. Architect Jim Lau, with 30 years of experience in urban design, was well aware that urban elements like benches and planters were naturally skateable. He stated, “I was never designing it to be not-skateable. A seat height of 18 inches? That’s the perfect seat height. But in a sense, that’s the perfect height for people to grind too.”
The design team also prioritized materials durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of skating. Affordable and utilitarian materials like asphalt and concrete were chosen over pricier stones like granite, which happen to be ideal for smooth roll-ups, grinds, and slides. Much of the opposition to skating in public spaces stems from property damage concerns, which were addressed by using these cost-effective materials.
Skater performing a trick on the stairs at K Bridge Park
K Bridge Park operates without state funding and generates revenue by hosting events and renting the space. These funds are used for park maintenance, utilities, and eventually free programming. While it is currently popular among skaters, the park may be used by other groups in the future, which could potentially alter its current skate-friendly atmosphere.
However, K Bridge Park has proven to be a successful experiment that could pave the way for similar projects. The park’s popularity is partly due to the allowance of skaters to introduce their own obstacles alongside the permanent features. The park’s administration’s laissez-faire approach has made it one of the most inviting locations in the area, showing how to create public spaces that meet community needs and desires effectively.
View of K Bridge Park, showing its skate-friendly design
The success of K Bridge Park is hopefully a trend that will continue in other multi-use spaces across the US. Skateboarding’s growing popularity and its Olympic debut have increased its visibility, and stigmas associated with skate spots and skateparks will hopefully continue to decrease.
Steve Rodriguez, a NYC skate legend, compared the situation to cities like Copenhagen, where skateboarding in public spaces is less frowned upon. “I think there’s too much ownership by the public of, ‘No, this is my space only in America.’ You don’t get that at Israels Plads in Copenhagen, where it’s a big empty fountain with people skateboarding, riding bikes all around, and picnicking,” he explained.
To maximize public spaces in crowded US cities, it might be beneficial to adopt similar models more widely.
K Bridge Park exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to public space design, acknowledging and accommodating the needs of skateboarders while creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. The park serves as a model for future public spaces, showcasing how to integrate skate-friendly elements seamlessly into urban landscapes, fostering a sense of community and shared enjoyment.
Written by: Kenny Ramos
Illustration: Charlotte Tegan
Photos by: Larry Lanza
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