chinatown ledges
chinatown
This spot was voted one of the dirtiest spots in the world by Skateboarder magazine (justifiably so), therefore, be sure to get yourself disinfected after you leave. Amidst the pro-Red China congregations that happen here on an almost daily basis, you'll find several heavily-painted concrete ledges, all ranging in shape and size. The most recognizable of the bump being the bump to ledge, which is about a foot and three-fourths in height, and seven feet in length, which in ten feet, is proceeded by a four stair. There's another two-foot high ledge parallel to it, but it's a lot less likely to be waxed. Additionally, there's two ten-foot long, ten-inch wide, foot-and-a-half high concrete ledges running parallel to each other down a very mellow handicap ramp. They are both skinny enough for board/lipslides. Finally, there's another set-up of parallel ledges, only they are about a foot wide, a foot-and-a-half in height and four feet in length, running over an extended set of three steps. Pretty much all the ledges here have ample runway and landing, in addition to pretty smooth, albeit frighteningly dirty ground. The only thing is, some of the edges have grown round over the years, so it may be difficult to lock in certain tricks.

There's a newly built seven stair in the field here which is nothing short of perfect. The run-up and landing is completely perfect asphalt.

The Parks Department will occasionally kick you out of the seven set, but not the park with the ledges. The seven is also the only part that is lit. The ledge portion of the spot, during weekday afternoons, and weekends altogether, especially during warm seasons, is filled with either homeless people, crackheads, chinamen or communist sympathizers. So you could either try your luck and see if nobody's going to be surrounding or sitting on what you want to skate, or you can go in the morning to early afternoon or late evening.

Hester and Forsyth Street in Chinatown, at the southernmost end of Sara D. Roosevelt Park (the same park Houston is in). Take the F or V to 2nd Avenue, skate west until you reach Forsyth Street, make a left, and skate south until Hester Street.

       



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