Spots: New Jersey — Jersey City

Spot: Update — Spring 2009: The main ledge here has been skatestopped.

Spot: Perhaps one of the few ledge spots that you could potentially skate hassle free in Hudson County (ok, there are a few hassles) — this is the place to go if you’re looking to learn a new grind or slide trick. The central ledge is a fifty-foot long, and a foot-and-a-half high with ends on each side on top of smooth, stone ground. It is perfectly smooth marble that should require minimal waxing. Further down, there are ledges identical to this one, just not as long. Additionally, throughout the entire plaza you can find stairs of all sizes, from tens to threes, all varying in set-ups. Some are a bit more skateable than others, due to cracks and whatnot.

There is also a downhill flatrail across Kennedy Boulevard at the parking garage that breaks into sections every five feet.

Bust — ♦♦♦ / Half-and-half: Sometimes, Port Authority Police may walk by and tell you to leave, especially if you are here in the afternoon. It is fairly unpredictable, because the majority of cops could care less about what you do here. Otherwise, the spot is outside of a major transportation center, which means there are usually a lot of people walking around and sitting on the ledges during the day, particularly during rush hour, so it’s best to avoid that time. It is decently lit at night, but the entire park is a major crackhead and junkie hangout, and Jersey City crackheads and junkies and a much different breed than Manhattan ones, so it is not exactly the sort of place you want to leave your backpack containing your camera and iPhone on a ledge with your back turned.

Location: Pavonia Avenue and John F. Kennedy Boulevard on the westside of Jersey City. If you’re coming from Uptown or Queens, take the B, D, F, V, N, Q, R or W to 34th Street — Herald Square and transfer to a Journal Square bound PATH train, and take it to Journal Square, the last stop (fifteen minute ride from the city.) If you’re coming from Downtown or Brooklyn, take the A, C, E, 2, or 3 to World Trade Center and take a Newark bound PATH train to the Journal Square stop. The spot is right outside.

Pictures (Click to Enlarge):