RIP Hell Ride, now in skateboard heaven

EVG reader Elliot noted that the Parks Department trashed the newly double-wide Hell Ride in the multipurpose courts/TF in Tompkins early this morning. 

We thank you for your service... (photos from Saturday by Stacie Joy)...

Monday's parting shots

Photos by Derek Berg 

AKA... today in photo shoots in Tompkins Square Park...

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Jose Garcia 

Sunday on the main lawn in Tompkins Square Park...

At Jenkem Magazine's skate block party in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy

Skateboarding and culture magazine Jenkem took over the Tompkins Square Park multipurpose courts yesterday afternoon with a pop-up skate jam/block party featuring new obstacles, music and plenty of spectators. 

The free event drew a steady crowd of skaters and onlookers ... some there to land tricks, others simply to hang out on a summer afternoon. 

Here are a few scenes from the session...

... and now the Hell Ride section...

Thursday's parting shot

An extension in the works for Hell Ride on the multipurpose courts/TF in Tompkins Square Park...

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Taking on Hell Ride

Taking on Hell Ride

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Like so many things in Tompkins Square Park, it simply appeared. 

Sometime in late spring, someone hauled in a homemade quarter pipe, painted it "Hell Ride," and left it for anyone willing to take it on. 

Since then, the ramp has become a gathering spot — and a test of skill — for skaters using the multipurpose courts. 

I recently spent some time with the skaters tackling Hell Ride...

For more skateboarding action... on Saturday, Jenkem Magazine is hosting a block party here during the afternoon...

 

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A reminder for red-tailed hawk season in Tompkins Square Park

Top two photos by Daniel Root 

The three red-tailed hawk fledglings continue to be active in Tompkins Square Park... even during the HEAT DOME, as Goggla noted ...

Meanwhile, someone has posted a homemade sign near where the hawks have been at play... reminding visitors that the fledglings are exploring the park — and asking dog owners to keep their pets leashed. (Photo by Stacie Joy.)

The laminated notice cites a "New York State law" requiring dogs to be on leashes. 

While there isn't a statewide leash law, dogs are required to be leashed in New York City parks unless they're in a dog run or a designated off-leash area. In parks with off-leash hours, dogs are permitted off leash only from park opening until 9 a.m. and from 9 p.m. until closing, per NYC 311. 

The sign doesn't appear to be an official Parks Department notice — there's no agency logo or branding — but its message echoes reminders from wildlife advocates and hawk watchers during fledgling season. 

As the young hawks continue learning to fly and spend more time on or near the ground, keeping dogs leashed can help prevent potentially dangerous encounters for both wildlife and pets.

Monday's parting shots

A large limb broke off the American elm near the Tompkins Square Park entrance at Avenue B and Ninth Street today, temporarily closing one of the tennis-handball courts.

Later in the day, EVG reader Heather Dubin reported that a Parks Forestry crew was removing the fallen limb and reopened the court. 

This marks the second sizable branch to fall from the tree this year. Another came down during high winds in late May. Parks Forestry inspected the elm after that incident, per public records.

Sunday's parting shot

Photos by Derek Berg 

Tompkins today. 

Had this been yesterday, we could have made a classic rock dad joke: Caturday in the park, I think it was the 4th of July... 

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Cecil Scheib 

A post-storm look to the west with Tompkins Square Park in the foreground...

Saturday's parting shot

Robert Miner notes that today's lunch special in Tompkins was a complimentary beverage with every rat ...

Tompkins Square mini pool set to open Saturday (tomorrow!)

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The Tompkins Square Park mini pool (yes, Tompkins has a mini pool) will welcome its first swimmers of the season tomorrow, aka, Saturday, June 27. (All outdoor city pools open tomorrow.)  

We stopped by this week as Parks staff made the final preparations ahead of opening day. Workers were skimming and cleaning the pool, installing new signage and checking equipment. We also witnessed pH and chlorine testing, with everything appearing on track for an on-time opening.

At around 86 degrees and sunny, the pool looked especially inviting. 

Unfortunately, the mini pool is reserved for children and their accompanying adults, so we had to resist the urge to take a quick dip.

Outdoor pool hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with a cleaning break from 3 to 4 p.m. 

This may also be the last summer for the mini pool in its current form. In August 2024, Gov. Hochul announced nearly $150 million in capital grants through the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative. 

As part of that program, Tompkins Square Park was awarded $6.1 million for a new in-ground pool that is expected to double the capacity of the current above-ground setup. 

So enjoy the trailer-style pool era while it lasts.

Tree down in Tompkins

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

A tree came down earlier today near the Ninth Street and Avenue B entrance to Tompkins Square Park.

According to a Parks Department employee on the scene, the working assumption is that the tree fell due to today's high winds. 

There were no reports of injuries.

The city's Tree Services are on the scene...
 

Updated: A look at the damage to the park bench...