New skate park opens in Red Hook, Brooklyn

RED HOOK, Brooklyn (PIX11) — A state-of-the-art skate park at Harold Ickes Playground in Red Hook, Brooklyn, opened Tuesday, transforming an underused asphalt lot into a vibrant recreational space.

The community celebrated the park’s inauguration with an unexpected twist: 10-year-old Eric Hernandez had the honor of cutting the ribbon – on his skateboard.

“I was nervous,” admitted Hernandez, who has been skateboarding for just a year and a half. “It hit my face and I didn’t know what was gonna happen next.”

Despite his nerves, the young skater successfully rode through the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the park.

The new skate park is part of NYC Parks’ larger initiative to create more dedicated skateboarding spaces throughout the city.

Quinn Hargitai, a local skateboarder, emphasized the community aspect of the sport.

“Skateboarding’s always been a really community-based sport. Nothing’s gonna compare to just having somebody there showing you, ‘Hey, you know, that trick you’re working on. If you try putting your foot back in this position a little bit more.’ That kind of feedback in the moment, that’s just irreplaceable,” he said.

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue highlighted the innovative approach to creating the park.

“This is an example of how innovative we can be at the Parks department in partnership with the community to take what was formally an unused asphalt space and transform it into the wonderful skate park you see behind me,” she said.

Donoghue also emphasized the park’s significance for the community, especially for young people seeking outdoor activities during summer. “It provides an opportunity for a very different kind of outdoor recreation that appeals to a wide audience that gives kids things to do in the summer, which is so important at this time of year,” she explained.

As Hernandez takes flight on his board, it’s a promising sign of things to come for other skaters in the area. “I like it,” he said.

The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. For more information, visit www.nycparks.org .

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