Riverdale skate parks foster thriving, inclusive community

I hope that we build a strong community of people [with the new Seton skate park], one that does good for people and for skateboarding and the neighborhood.”

Al Furman

Sebastian Reynolds sat astride his bike behind the fence of the Van Cortlandt skate park. “At least they’re skating and not doing drugs.”

On a golden-hued Sunday evening, the park was alive with skateboarders and bikers of all ages. Some were practicing with friends and others had phones set up to record their tricks. 

Reynolds said one of the greatest challenges facing the skateboarding community is dispelling the outdated stigma borne from the 90s that associates skateboarding with drugs and crimes.

“A lot of us just want to go to the skate park to have something to do, or to relieve our stress,” he said.

Another skateboarding misconception Reynolds dismisses is it’s inherently dangerous.

“You see 10 times the injuries from football and much more severe, than from skating,” he said. “Most people here know to be careful.”

In Seton Park, a former decrepit basketball court is currently being transformed into a dual-purpose space featuring both a new skate park and a track-and-field unit.

Al Furman, a Riverdale native and final-year neuroscience student at Binghamton University, teaches skate lessons around the city. He said he was excited to hear news of a second Riverdale skate park, as he mostly ventures into Manhattan to teach.

“There have been maybe five, six skate parks built within the last like three four years, which has been a great push by the city,” Furman said.

Furman, who also competes professionally in scooter events, sees firsthand the positive impact of skateboarding on kids, especially those “borderline unathletic” who don’t enjoy traditional team sports. 

“It’s a great alternative,” he said. “Kids, like I was, who don’t participate in sports at school find themselves wanting another outlet to express themselves, often turn to skateboarding, and they’re amazing at it.”

Having skated since middle school, Furman has recently expanded his repertoire to teaching lessons in BMX, scootering and roller blading. To find clients, he advertises on Facebook or approaches young skaters at parks, especially those who seem eager yet might be struggling, always with their parents’ permission.

Furman’s best advice to any newcomers interested in skateboarding? “Get a skateboard”, he said, “then be outside every single day.”

Nine-year-old Ethan, who attends Riverdale Country School, has taken this sentiment to heart. So far, his favorite trick he’s learned at Van Cortlandt skate park is a kickflip. 

Furman described the skate culture in Riverdale as “pretty dead right now,” but noted, once the Van Cortlandt skate park opened, a thriving community emerged in no time.

This community, mainly aged 16 to 24, now communicates through a group chat through which they share suggestions, meetups and other resources. In the past year, they’ve hosted barbecues, competitions and skate brand launches. 

A recent Bronx Girls Skate event was held at Van Cortlandt park, organized by one of Furman’s friend’s, further highlighted the growing inclusivity of the skate scene.

Skater and roller-blader Danielly Williams, 17, shared this view.

“I’ve seen a lot more girls get into skateboarding recently.” she said. “There’s a great mix of everyone now and we all support each other in any way we can.”

While a bulletin board outside the Seton skate park states the project will be complete in October, construction workers on site suggested it will only take three weeks.

“I hope that we build a strong community of people here,” Furman said of the yet-to-be-skated park, “one that does good for people and for skateboarding and the neighborhood.”