The Brooklyn Banks, known for being a ‘melting pot’ of skaters, bikers and artists like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, were closed off over a decade ago – until now
The Brooklyn Bridge, an icon built to connect once separate cities, is 140 years old this year. But underneath the connecting roadways on the Manhattan side was a series of sloping red-brick embankments that in the 1980s became the birthplace of a gritty New York street-style of skateboarding – the Brooklyn Banks.
Last week, the New York City mayor, Eric Adams, took a break from dealing with his city’s social and economic headaches to reopen the cambered banks – “waves” in skateboarder speak – and pay tribute to the skateboarding pioneers who helped turn the kick-flips and grinds of teenage outsiders into a global culture industry.
About Author
More Stories
‘It feels like we lost’: Newcastle’s Howe left bemused by late Forest revival
Liverpool extend lead at top to 11 points with statement win at Manchester City
Freeman believes in England’s Six Nations title hopes despite fans’ boos