Spots: Downtown Manhattan — Financial District

Spot: Exchange Place is a minor spot within the context of all the other obstacles you could find roaming around downtown, but worth a few moments if you’re into stairs. And literally a few moments, because usually you’ll be getting kicked out before you can figure out what trick to try. The spot is set up on perfect marble ground down a hill leading to Wall Street / the Stock Exchange area. It runs alongside of a building, and is a mere replacement for generic sidewalk rather than an actual plaza where you’ll encounter people eating lunch, crackheads, etc. In a consistent string of steps, with only about ten to twelve feet between each set, there are two three sets, two fours, a five and a six. Running alongside each stair is a foot high marble ledge, onto which you need to gap out a foot and a half to due to a metal box at each ledge’s beginning. There is also a seven-foot wide metal bank propped up in the middle of the street, with an uphill runway. It is not too steep and has a metal lip at the top. Be careful not to slip out because it will send you chasing your board as it speeds down the hill when you mess up on a trick.

Bust — ♦♦♦♦♦ / Almost Immediate: There is a security booth at the bottom of the hill that is occupied 90-percent of the time. If you remain at the top of the steps, it may take him a minute to spot you. Otherwise, the closer you get, the more likely you are to be seen, which means the higher stairs and the bank are right in security’s field of vision. Occasionally, the booth will be empty and you can get a quick session in, but that normally only happens at night.

Location: Exchange Place and Broadway. Take the 4 or 5 to Wall Street and skate two blocks south on Broadway. The spot is on the east side of the street, next to the Chase bank.

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