Columbus Circle And Skater Impact
June 28, 2011
Submitted By: Michael Horwitz
In spite of the general public perception, skaters do have some positive effects on public plazas. I am studying how both skate-boarders and in-line skaters relate to these public spaces.
The significance of this study is to show city and regional planners, architects, developers and the general public that skaters are not destructive, but rather care about the spaces they use and can have a positive impact on them. I hope to convince the readers of this paper that skaters are misunderstood and are out to prove that they are actually pedestrian friendly in their interaction with the other users of Columbus Circle.
Research was based on observations of the skaters in Columbus Circle
The individuals who skated in Columbus Circle told me they only skate in this particular plaza. This is due to the long slabs of stone on which they could grind (grinding is the act of sliding along an edge on the trucks or sole of the board or in-line skates). They also liked the plaza’s proximity to their homes. They range in age from late teens to early twenties. They are all graduates of high school, or have gotten their GEDs. The ones who are out during the day do not hold steady jobs, but live at home and are not wards of the street, although their exterior appearance might suggest otherwise. Their working friends join them later. The average group numbered around four. The largest was eight, and they took turns skating since if it were to get too crowded, accidents would be more likely to occur and they would risk getting permanently evicted from the plaza.
Contrary to my long held opinion, I found that most people tolerated the skaters and did not mind their intrusion. As they ate their lunches and enjoyed the plaza, many of these people positioned themselves in an advantageous spot to watch the skaters perform. Of course, as is to be expected, some people felt they did not belong there or even have the right to be there. From the skaters’ perspective, they waited patiently to skate when it would not interfere with the public’s movements. If people were in the way, they would wait before starting. If it was feasible and judicious they would politely ask those people sitting in the path of their exhibition to give them some space to perform.
Of course they know that this is strictly a pedestrian area and not a designated skate park, and they are very cautious of police patrols and cleaning crews. When the cleaning crews came they would astop skating and wait for them to finish out of respect for them. I asked a member of the cleaning crew about the skaters. He told me, “They are not harming anyone and there have not been any incidents, so why not let them have their fun? They are good kids.” I asked a security guard who stands at the opening to Central Park what his position was on the skaters. He told me that his job is to stop disruptions in the space, including skating. If he sees skating, he usually turns a blind eye. If their non-compliance with a safety issue, I am sure he would stop them. Every once in a while police patrols would circle the skaters’ area. The skaters would stop skating and sit until they left. The officers never left their cars and never stayed very long. Apparently they have more important things to do than chase away skaters that are not interfering with the pedestrians.
All the skaters were friends with each other and were very pleasant. On the day that I talked to them I started by sitting along their path and taking pictures. Within a minute I was approached by one of them, and his questions surprised me. “What type of camera is that? Do you like it? How did I look?” There was no hostility towards me as to why I was taking pictures and no one told me to get out of their way and not bother them. On the contrary, they welcomed my genuine interest in their passion. First they sat and talked with me, then they delighted in showing me their skills. I personally witnessed their willingness to stop what they were doing if it compromised the safety of the pedestrians.
My conclusion is that they bring a unique level of activity to the space. They are just like street performers who provide a spectacle for people to watch and cause interactions between strangers. This is a very positive trend whereby the skaters have come to respect the area and the public where they perform. It must be noted that my observations and conclusions are based upon only three days of research in one named plaza. More research is needed on this space and others like it to form a definite conclusion as to whether the skaters have a positive or negative impact.
