Spots: Downtown Manhattan — Tribeca & West Village

Spot: Breaking down everything there is to skate here would be impossible, and unnecessary at the same time given the fact that Parks Department Nazis patrol certain areas better than others. The only stuff depicted here is what can be skated while still avoiding them at the same time.

The standout object of the entire spot is a bank-like rock structure, with the top smoothed out, making it perfect for either regular bank tricks, manuals, stalls or launching off of onto the more mellow bank that sits at a forty-five degree angle next to it. There is a children’s playground further south from the rock bank that has a low, thin, round rail running flat off two stairs that is only frontside for regular/backside for goofy. Beyond those two main things, you’ll find a few assorted ledges leading down from the bike path, and some scattered sets of steps. Chances are, if you see something that looks sick to skate, but with no marks or wax on it, the area is inevitably more prone to security than the rest of the park.

Bust — ♦♦♦♦ / Very Likely: The Parks Department patrols up and down the promenade at all hours of the day, so you are just as likely to see them at 4 P.M. as you are at 4 A.M. (ok, maybe a little less likely). It is best to be selective of what portions of the spot you skate, mainly confining your choices to obstacles that are not in clear view, or ones that allow you to catch sight of Parks Department Golf Carts before they come racing down to catch you. They can issue you a summons for skateboarding, which typically runs around $50. They can also issue you a summons for being in the park after midnight, so be careful if you’re getting it in on an after hours mission.

Location: The spot covers quite a bit of ground, running from Horatio Street and the Westside Highway (AKA “West Street”) down to around West 10th Street in the West Village / southern portion of the Meatpacking District. There are no nearby trains, since it is along the Hudson River, but the nearest station is the 1 to Christopher Street — Sheridan Square. Skate west on Christopher Street until you hit the water / bike path. Make a right and skate north on the bike path. All of the obstacles run along that path.

Pictures (Click to Enlarge):