When Lil’ Wayne was in town to perform at the Billboard Hot 100 music festival last week, he carved out time to make a pitstop at 5050 Skatepark.

Stapleton native Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan just shot his new music video here as well.

BMX bikers and NFL players have also stopped by. Owner Ed Pollio says it’s such a popular spot because they’ve got a unique appeal.

“Skateboarding and BMX is something building in popularity, so, you know, major stars accept that if I have this in my music video, it’ll help me reach an audience that’s untapped,” said Ed Pollio, Owner of 5050 Skatepark.

Pollio and his girlfriend Angelica Popolano opened the city’s 1st indoor skatepark in July 2012, after Popolano, who used to work for the parks department, noticed how popular the public skate parks were.

At first, Pollio didn’t think 5050 would last.  “It’s pretty cool how the community supported us & we’re still here after 3 years. We didn’t even think we’d make it a year. You know, it was so experimental,” Pollio stated.

They say a heavy social media presence has helped them grow. The couple splits the duties. Pollio builds the ramps.

Poplano takes care of the administrative work.

“I wanna do something good & it just motivates you, seeing when she does a great email blast. It just motivates me to, you know, build a cool ramp,”  Pollio chimed.

Those who come here on a regular basis say the skatepark has a significant impact on their lives.

“We’ve become best friends just by being at a skatepark. If it wasn’t for here, I don’t know what I’d be doing,” said Oakwood resident Aidan Snachez-Campo.

“I keep on coming back because it’s a fun place. I like it,” Stapleton resident Sebastian Brann added.

“We’re all really close here. We’re all like best friends, “said Anthony Cataldo, Hugenot resident.

Best friends with a lot of patience, as they watched me chicken out of going down the smallest ramp they have.

Pollio and Popolano say they’d love to expand. As development on Front St. continues, they’re anticipating how it’ll affect the park,

“It’s gonna bring a lot of people in. It’s gonna bring a lot of kids to the neighborhood and hopefully bring in more people who will learn about skateboarding,” stated Angelica Popolano Owner, of 5050 Skatepark.

Found it here

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/08/31/stapleton-skatepark-a-celebrity-draw.html