The People's Money (2022-2023)

What problem would you like to solve?

To create and utilze existing indoor and outdoor spaces to build a community child, youth and adult skating program.

Rollerskating is a key part of NYC culture with known health, social and mental benefits With the increased mainstream popularity of skating since the pandemic, the glaring lack of spaces and opportunities available for quad skaters is even more apparent.

Why is it important to solve? Why is it relevant for the community?

A rollerskating program would build a safe space for young people to learn a new skill, have access to a leisure activity in their community, empower, build confidence and a sense of pride.

There are several examples of community building and wellness with rollerskating. In California, the recent opening of Liberation Park in Oakland by the Black Cultural Zone revitalized East Oakland with a much needed community hub that included a roller skating rink.

Rollerskating culture and community is deeply embedded in Black culture. Rollerskating to many people only came back into vogue in the past couple of years, but there is a community to where it has never gone away. In New York City, there is only one indoor skate rink on Staten Island and another on Long Island. Brooklyn lost Empire Skate Rink in 2007 and the skating scene has not recovered since. Skaters will commute for 2 hours each way for a weekly skate session and it is not financially viable or possible for many skaters and most definitely not for young people.

What idea do you have to address the problem?

The idea is to develop a three pronged approach to a community-owned initiative, to have programs that are included in NYC Parks and Recreation, NYC Schools and youth and community centers. The models that are being looked at to form this framework are: 

Shape Up from NYC Parks and Recreation

Dancing Classrooms - Social Emotional Learning

Figure Skating in Harlem - Empowerment, physical activity and focus for underserved communities in an overwhelmingly rich and white sport. 

Youth Skating Programs - After school clubs and day care centers

Skate Clubs in community centers for all ages - an accessible leisure activity in underserved communities. 

Future - training youth to become certified Skate IA instructors, training youth for future sports opportunities, and opening up scholarship opportunities. 

Who would that help?

Children and youth are the main focus of this proposal. A skating program would build empowerment, develop motor skills, increase physical fitness, teamwork, social skills and wellness. This can be after school, or weekend activities. With the success of this program, it can be extended to adults and seniors.

This program also helps to support many other after school initiatives, youth activities, and community programs that are also being submitted for the People's Budget.

What NYC borough would benefit from your idea?

All would benefit. There is a skater and community organizer, Rochelle Pollard, that also is working in parallel with my proposal who has helped lead the charge in the Bronx who I am supporting with this proposal in Brooklyn. 

There are resources, groups and activities that already happen on a smaller scale, such as skate lessons, indoor and outdoor skating events, rental skate vendors, and several planners and organizers.

Majority of the skate community do not do this out of receiving any financial benefit - it’s a labor of love, outside of their working lives. If the PB can help support a program in one borough, it can be a use case to extend to other boroughs. Providing safe spaces for physical activity and recreational activities is key here. Not only would it benefit Brooklyn, but it would benefit the 5 Boroughs. Not only that but it would also help open the door for more opportunities for Black and PoC youth. 

All of the above can be attained and can be sustainable with the right level of support. If we build it, they will come.