After more than a decade behind fences and under scaffolding, the legendary Big Banks section of the Brooklyn Banks is finally skateable again.
The spot, famous in skateboarding history for its brick transitions, massive banks, and deep ties to NYC culture had been closed off since the mid-2000s.
Aside from a brief renegade summer in 2017 when some skaters found ways in, the Big Banks have mostly been off-limits.
That changed today.
Mayor Eric Adams, NY skate legend Steve Rodriguez, and members of The Skatepark Foundation cut the ribbon and officially welcomed the public back to the space.
The moment was the result of years of planning, coordination, and fundraising, with major help from Vans, Gotham Park, and The Skatepark Project.
Rodriguez, who’s been involved in keeping the Banks alive since day one, played a huge role in connecting the dots between the city and the skate community.
While some of the surfaces had to be rebuilt or reinforced, much of the original brickwork on the banks is still intact.
You can tell just by standing on it. It feels like the same spot that’s been in countless videos for decades. The ground’s smoother, but the soul’s still there.
Big thanks to everyone who made it happen. And if you’re reading this in New York, you already know where to go.