NY Times Article on 5050 Skatepark

NY Times 6For the skaters of New York, winter was particularly cruel: Gray snow forming crust on skateable surfaces, railings glazed by ice. And all that wetness just destroys your bearings.

The savvier skateboarders and scooter riders, or at least those who want to practice their tricks in a more hospitable climate, might head to Stapleton, on Staten Island, where 5050 Skatepark opens early and closes late. It’s just over 8,000 square feet of ramps, rails and obstacles under one roof.

On a Saturday not long ago, a gaggle of boys in candy-colored helmets scootered past a lurid mural of Miley Cyrus, her tongue replaced by an octopus tentacle. Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love” was blasting from speakers overhead, and as they ground rails and spun off the ramps, they sang along.

Most of 5050’s patrons are on BMX bikes or scooters. But these aren’t just toy-store scooters. They are scooters with Phoenix, Proto and Tilt parts, and they can cost $500.

At most skate parks in New York, scooter riders seem to be in a somewhat lower caste, usually tolerated grudgingly. But at 5050, scooter culture rules among the younger set, and there are many levels of mastery. Some work on their hops and twirls (“You can only hop!” is an insult on the floor); others are more advanced.

Take Peter Piccolino, 13, who has been riding his scooter for about two years. “I’m actually really well known around here,” he said. “If you ask anyone around here, they’ll tell you how good I am.”

Peter comes to 5050 with his own videographer, a friend who records him doing difficult tricks, including a kickless rewind to a 360 bar rewind, which happens too fast for the uninitiated to fully comprehend. When he wipes out and scrapes his arm, the videographer goes in for a close-up of the wound — it might have YouTube potential.

Nonetheless, most 5050 patrons will attest that the atmosphere is noncompetitive. Joe Iovino, 13, has been a scooter rider for six months and has learned “never to give up.” At 5050, other riders are always helping him with tricks, he said. And when he falls? “People help me up.”

The skate park was opened in July 2012 by Angelica Popolano, 25, and her boyfriend, Ed Pollio, 32. Mr. Pollio, who owns a construction business, builds all the ramps; Ms. Popolano handles the business side. The name 5050 refers to a classic skateboard trick. It also signifies equality, Ms. Popolano said, since she and Mr. Pollio each own half of the business. (Ms. Popolano was a women’s studies major at the College of Staten Island.)

Ms. Popolano is clearly the doyenne of 5050. Young men on scooters whizzing past salute her: “Hi, Angelica!” She knows everyone’s name.

The couple set out to open 5050 after Staten Island’s Ben Soto Skatepark, named after a fallen Marine and friend of Mr. Pollio’s, was closed by the city parks department in 2011. (A greatly reduced version reopened later that year.) It took Ms. Popolano and Mr. Pollio eight months to find a spot to lease, and as soon as they signed, they started building ramps. Apart from the required helmets, there aren’t many rules at 5050. Use of foul language is discouraged. A full-day, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, 3 to 9 p.m. on school days, costs from $12 to $20. Ms. Popolano prefers that everyone hang up their coats.

Hannah Lonergan, 14, recently started helping out at 5050, assisting at the front desk and with birthday parties. In addition to Ms. Popolano, she is one of the few female presences in the building, and she says the atmosphere is sometimes intimidating.

Still, she said 5050 is like a family to her. “I’d be in a bad mood and I’d come here and be so much happier,” she said. “I think it’s the same with a lot of kids here. They can just ride and be free.”

“It’s like our second home,” she added. “Except it’s really cold sometimes. And dusty.”

Read the whole Story Here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/nyregion/a-place-to-grind-and-fly.html?_r=0

5050 Skatepark on Dr Oz

Zack Gerber at 5050 skatepark


Zack Gerber at 5050 skatepark
Film / Edit by Chris Marshall

5050 Skatepark Song Promo

5050 Skatepark Song Promo
Ed Pollio Reached out to Chris Reinch Founder of Projectivity to make a song for 5050 Skatepark. Check out the promo here.

Big thanks to Josh Glazer
www.jglazeproductions.com
​and​
​Chris Reinsch
http://theprojectivitymovement.org/​

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Randy Rush 5050 Skatepark Interview

Charlie Quigley sits down with Randy Rush for a 5050 Skatepark Interview. They talk about how Ed Wonka created the Scene for Freestyle Fixed Gear. Why he loves Staten Island and how he chipped his tooth.

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Still Out Here Video Premeire at 5050 Skatepark

Still Out Here 5050 Skatepark New York Flyer jpg

Still Out Here Video Premeire at 5050 Skatepark on

SATURDAY JANUARY 17TH AT 8PM TO 10PM $10 TO GET IN AND RIDE

Still Out Here Video Filmed and edited by Fernando Gomarín Olaiz starring Jaime Gonzalez, Mirco Andreani, Michal Smelko, Mati Lasgoity and Diego “Mono” Navarro.
Guest starring Martin Svodoba, Quique Rico, “Frenchie”, Santiago Arano, Luciano Masetti, Vicente Candel, Leandro Gardos, “Chase de Mataro”, Moises Sanchez, Joan Pere, Adrian Serrano, Mauro Bustamante, Vita Kacha, Fabian Bader, Killian Roth.
Special appearance by Simone Barraco, Fernando Laczko, Dan Lacey, Dakota Roche and Ty Morrow.

STEALTH DECK OUT NOW!!!


AO just drop there newest deck 5 months ago! Go out and buy one here at 5050 Skatepark!

Why Flat? feat Liam Nary


If you guys were wondering why Jon Reyes rides Flat Ground,this is the video explaining why he preferes Flat Ground!

Tommy Gillette 2014

Go watch my skate part from 2014.

BMX- 5050 Skatepark- Christmas Edit


Instead of hanging out with the family all Christmas Day. 5050 Skatepark locals all met up on Christmas Day and Paul Marten Filmed and Edited this Cool Edit.
Riders Are Alex Avilla, Joe Irlinger, Henry Kropp, Charlie Quigley, and Nick Gregoreadis