2020 continues to get worse with the news that the Brooklyn Banks may be in jeopardy. After being closed for roughly five years for remodeling; images were shared yesterday via Instagram that show the bricks have been taken out of New York’s most iconic skate spot. The large banks were supposed to remain a public skatepark after the small banks were demolished in 2004. But the future is now looking uncertain. Have a look 5Boro’s Steve Rodriguez’s post about the situation below.
UPDATE 01.11.21: In an incredible twist of fate, there is a new proposal on the New York City Council’s budget site to reopen the Small Banks. Leave a comment over there to show support, and let’s see what happens!
My project idea is: Reopen the Basketball Courts and Small Banks under the Brooklyn Bridge
So that people could: have a park for relaxation and basketball in a neighborhood that desperately needs both. Directly across the street at Murry Bergtraum are thousands of high schoolers who do not have accessible outdoor space to play sports or have lunch. DOT has fenced off the area but is not actively using the spaces – the areas have been closed for a decade. The Small Banks are a historic skating spot and would provide space for active and passive recreation. This neighborhood has so little public park space, and it would mean so much to our community to get some little piece of it back.
UPDATE 11.19.20: There’s some goods news in this morning’s headline update. Community Board 1 has unanimously decided to push DOT to restore the Banks to the community. While this is only a first step, it’s a step in the right direction.
UPDATE 11.17.20: The fate of the Banks is on the agenda for today’s Community Board 1 meeting. Sign in on webex at 6pm EST, and make you voice heard. The below post from Steve R. provides all of the pertinent details.
UPDATE 06.22.20: Jenkem dropped a video today that gives a visual update on where things stand currently at the Banks. It’s not looking too good. For the record, if you’re not including Maurice Key‘s switch frontside heel over the wall from Trilogy in your list of best tricks to go down there, we have to question if you really know your shit. Just sayin’.
UPDATE 05.10.20: Yesterday, an online petition was created to save the Banks. It’s already reached over 8,000 signatures and counting in just 24 hours. This grassroots campaign has the potential to get the city to preserve this important piece of skateboarding’s history. You should sign if you haven’t already.
