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Bronx, NY – On April 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined New York City Council Member Althea Stevens, and NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Jessenia Aponte, at the historical Reverend T. Wendell Foster Park and Recreation Center’s Skate Park to announce $4 million in capital funding to preserve and enhance the beloved Bronx Landmark located at East 164th Street and River and Jerome Avenue near Yankee Stadium. They were joined by professional inline skater Ray Mendez, who honed his skills as a child at the Skate Park before competing in high-level inline skating competitions.
“The renovation of the Reverend T. Wendell Foster Park and Recreation Center’s Skate Park is years in the making and, once completed, will transform the park into an area for our children, families, and skating enthusiasts to safely recreate without having to leave their neighborhood,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “This $4 million is an investment not just in the park, but also in the West Bronx, and demonstrates our shared commitment to enhancing public spaces in our borough. I want to thank Council Member Althea Stevens, NYC Parks and Recreation, and our parks advocates for their partnership on this initiative, and I look forward to seeing the completion of the skate park.”
“This investment represents our commitment to preserving our city’s cultural heritage and providing inclusive recreational opportunities for all,” said NYC Council Member Althea Stevens. The Skate Park at Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park and Recreation Center holds a special place in the hearts of many, and with this renovation, we aim to ensure that it remains a vibrant and welcoming space for years to come.”
“Our project to reconstruct the skate and bike park at the Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park and recreation Center will revitalize a unique and essential space that is enjoyed by inline skaters, BMX bikers, and skateboard enthusiasts alike. The park features some of the biggest ramps in our system, making it a destination for thrill seekers,” said NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Jessenia Aponte. “These investments in our park amenities enhance public safety and bring communities closer together, and Parks is committed to providing the highest quality recreational spaces for residents of every borough. We are extremely grateful to the City Council and Bronx Borough President, as well as the Mayor’s Office and Department of State, for allocating funds to make this project a reality.”
“Once an ice skating rink where I skated as a child, the community adopted the space in the 1980’s and it became NYC’s first ramp park,” said Former Pro Skater and NYC Action Sports Ambassador, Ray Mendez. “Everyone on wheels: be it on a bike, board, or blades flocked here. It became our home. Now, over 30 years later, it’s still the oldest ramp park in NYC & the 2nd oldest in all of the East Coast. It’s a place that made me who I am today and I am grateful to Bronx Borough President Vanessa L Gibson, New York City Council Member Althea Stevens, New York City Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Jessenia Aponte, and the longstanding stewards & guardians of this Park, Eddie Rios, Louie Lopez, Robert Ramos and Brendan Vail who together are making sure this place lives on.”
Since its establishment in 1988, the skate park has been a vibrant hub for skateboarders, rollerbladers, and BMX riders. It has fostered a sense of community while providing a safe space for recreation and creativity. Recently, Pro-Skater Tony Hawk invested in building and renovating skate parks city-wide to improve accessibility, capacity, and functionality for residents. This combined $4,000,000 from New York City Council Member Stevens and Bronx Borough President Gibson is a commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, fostering community, supporting youth development, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Bronx residents while maintaining a historic Bronx landmark.