Tompkins Square Park, located in the heart of New York City’s East Village, is more than just a green space. For decades, the northwest corner, a large slab of cement originally intended for a softball field, has been a haven for skateboarders. It’s a place where skaters gather, friendships are forged, and countless tricks have been landed. This legendary spot, known as the “TF” (Training Facility), has shaped generations of New York’s finest skateboarders.
This article delves into the rich history of Tompkins, exploring the stories, the personalities, and the events that have made it such an iconic location. We’ve gathered insights from some of the key figures who have called Tompkins their home, including Billy Rohan, Tombo Colabraro, “Grandpa” Jeremy Weiland, Yaje Popson, and Adam Zhu. They share their firsthand experiences and provide a comprehensive timeline of this beloved DIY skate space.
Billy Rohan skating at Tompkins Square Park
Early Days and the Rise of the TF
The story of skateboarding at Tompkins is intertwined with the history of the East Village itself. Adam Zhu, who grew up near the park, recalls learning to skate there as a child: “It was the first place I learned how to skate, in the flat area. Basically, that’s where I met my friend group and was the jump-off point for the rest of my life.” For Yaje Popson, the park holds similar significance. He explains, “I did my first ollie over a board there. It was ‘99 or 2000. Tompkins is pretty important. I don’t think there’s Yaje without Tompkins.”
Billy Rohan’s first visit to Tompkins was around 1997, but he became a regular after moving to New York around 2001. Tombo Colabraro remembers the early 2000s when ramps began appearing at the spot. It was a small, tight-knit community where everyone knew each other. Jeremy Weiland, who moved to New York around the 9/11 era, was introduced to Tompkins through Lurker Lou and quickly became part of the scene.
The Counter-Cultural Roots of Tompkins
The park’s history is also shaped by the counter-culture of the East Village. As Adam Zhu explains, “The hardcore scene was big. The history of squatters and homeless and riots. That all kind of ties into the whole counter-cultural identity of the park.” He references C Squat, an abandoned building taken over by squatters, which featured a vert ramp and hosted punk rock shows, highlighting the intersection of skateboarding, music, and alternative lifestyles.
Jeremy Weiland also recalls stories of skate contests at C Squat in the 80s and early 90s. Billy Rohan adds to this narrative, mentioning a large contest at Tompkins featuring five ramps put together, drawing a huge crowd. Adam Zhu highlights another significant event: a contest in 1989 featuring a massive wall ride, which further solidified the park’s status as a skateboarding hub.
A photo from a Tompkins Square Park skateboarding contest in 1989
The Hare Krishna movement, with its roots in Tompkins, also contributed to the park’s unique atmosphere, with the group feeding the homeless every Sunday. This mix of skateboarding, counter-culture, and community spirit helped forge Tompkins’ distinctive identity.
The Influence of ABC Skate Shop
ABC Skate Shop, located near Tompkins, played a vital role in developing the skateboarding scene. Tombo Colabraro recalls how the shop became a hub for the skaters: “All of us would bring [the obstacles] back to the shop and they’d lock it up at the skate shop at the end of the night.” Billy Rohan emphasizes the collaborative spirit of the time, recalling how they would transport obstacles to the park, transforming it into a training ground. He remembers Rob Campbell’s mind-blowing backside flip to switch frontside overcrook on the yellow flat bar.
Skaters at Tompkins Square Park
A video called “Alphabet City” showcases the early days of Tompkins, featuring Billy Rohan and others. Yaje Popson describes the influence of ABC, noting that when it opened “it popped off”. Kerel Roach and Scotty Schwartz were key figures, building obstacles and organizing sessions. Billy Rohan also highlights the significance of having a dedicated space for practicing tricks, stating, “That’s why we called it the TF, it was the training facility.” Tombo Colabraro points out the parallel with Rob Dyrdek’s training facility, which influenced the naming of their own TF.
Skaters doing tricks at Tompkins Square Park
The Rise of Autumn Skate Shop and the “Dunions”
Following the departure of ABC, Autumn Skate Shop became the next major influence in the Tompkins scene. According to Tombo Colabraro, the move was strategic, solidifying the park’s position. Jeremy Weiland describes how Autumn became a meeting point for the skaters: “Basically Autumn was the garage for all the boxes and rails. They used to lock them up on the signs right there at the corner… You literally had a skatepark inside of Autumn that everybody would come grab and put out every single day.”
Autumn played a significant role in sponsoring skaters and provided a platform for the next generation. Yaje Popson attributes his sponsorship to Grandpa Jeremy’s influence at Autumn. Billy Rohan mentions a group of younger skaters who frequented Tompkins, including Kevin Tierney, Yaje Popson, Adam Zhu, and Shawn Powers. Yaje Popson mentions Lurker Lou dubbed the group “Dunions.”
The “Dunions” were a tight-knit crew known for their unique style and innovative skating, as Jeremy Weiland recalls, “A lot of the Dunions did crazy things when they were younger”. He also mentions a group of younger skaters who grew up at Tompkins: Sage Elsesser, Sean Pablo, Aidan Mackey, and Ben Kadow. The impact of Tompkins can be seen through the growth of these skaters, making the park a place for mentorship and skill development.
A skater doing a hippy jump at Tompkins Square Park
12th & A: Expanding the Skate Scene
Billy Rohan, a key figure in the Tompkins story, also played a major role in developing another significant skate spot: 12th and A. After a dispute with some local kids at Tompkins, Billy started skating at 12th and A, which eventually grew into a new hub. Adam Zhu describes the events organized by Billy Rohan at 12th and A, “Billy organized contests that I don’t think any since has compared to. Halloween Hellraiser, King of Spring… A lot of these events really cemented friendships.”
Billy Rohan explains how he got the space: “the principal of the school saw that we were bringing stuff over there and then next thing you know this nonprofit that ran the park over there was like do you guys wanna work on something?” He then received funding from Mark Gonzales to build a wallride and from Acapulco Gold and Supreme to build other obstacles.
A photo of Dylan Rieder at 12th and A
Jeremy Weiland notes the importance of Supreme’s support, stating “Any money that ever needed to be put up- Supreme would always be there to put money up.” He also describes the collaborative community spirit that marked this era. Billy remembers Gonz doing an amazing frontside air at 12th and A.
Skaters hanging out at Tompkins Square Park
Saving Tompkins and Preserving its Legacy
Tompkins has faced threats from gentrification and attempts to change the park’s landscape. Adam Zhu describes his efforts to ensure the park remained a skate spot: “I actually schmoozed up to one of the parks department ladies and gave her my number and told her to call me before they do anything drastic like throw away all the obstacles.” He views Tompkins as a symbol against gentrification and a place where skaters from all walks of life can come together.
Through his and others’ efforts, the city recognized the importance of skateboarding at Tompkins. Adam explains that he worked with Supreme to bring obstacles to the park. He recalls a time when the park department was freaking out about overcrowding and the Save Tompkins movement started to gain traction. He emphasizes that after the community’s advocacy the park commissioner realized they needed to work with the skaters.
A photo of skaters at the "Save Tompkins" movement
Billy Rohan also highlights the significance of Adam’s efforts, stating, “The fact that Adam made that happen with the city of New York was a game changer.” Adam and his community also sought support from other sports teams, although those teams chose to side with the city. Despite those setbacks, Adam continued to work with the Parks Department to ensure that skaters could continue to use the space. He also encouraged skaters to coexist with other users of the park.
Another photo of the "Save Tompkins" movement
Tompkins Today: A Changing Landscape
In the later years, Tompkins has evolved with the changing times. Tombo Colabraro explains why he started skating elsewhere, “Tompkins was in a time when nobody had cell phones… Then the little missions would break off from there. Communication became a little easier, I stopped going there as often. It was like a hub.” Jeremy Weiland reflects on the challenges of running a skate shop, noting that the rent in the area has made it difficult.
Skaters at Tompkins Square Park
Yaje Popson notes that the scene at Tompkins today is very different from the past: “The last couple of times I saw it I felt old. It’s hard to embrace generation after generation.” He observes the rapid turnover of generations and the changing vibe of the park. While acknowledging the changes, he notes that the park still retains a neighborhood feel.
Adam Zhu believes the spirit of Tompkins will endure, explaining that the park “has always been for people who are kind of rejects or maybe don’t fit in in other places or are more into counter-culture or are more on the fringes of society.” Billy Rohan’s perspective emphasizes the essence of the skateboarding experience: “As long as you’ve got a spot with smooth ground, friends, and a good imagination, you can have a Tompkins anywhere in the world.”
In conclusion, Tompkins Square Park has left an indelible mark on the skateboarding world. From its early days as a DIY spot to its present status as a historic landmark, Tompkins embodies the creativity, community, and resilience of skateboarding culture. The stories and experiences shared by Billy Rohan, Tombo Colabraro, Jeremy Weiland, Yaje Popson, and Adam Zhu provide valuable insight into the enduring legacy of this iconic space. As the scene continues to evolve, Tompkins remains a testament to the power of skateboarding and its ability to shape communities and inspire generations.
References
- Interviews by: Alexis Castro
- Photos Courtesy of: Patrick O’Dell, Paul Roura and Sophie Day
- Intro By: Justin Saltiel
