As fortune would have it, after meeting at the old seaplane launch in LaSalle Park (FB) with a potential supporter for a possible reuse, I passed by the skate plaza expecting to see a crew working on it. While I did run across the crew, I also ran across a number of skaters testing out the plaza features. Although the park is not officially open, you can’t expect a good thing like this to sit idle if there is potential for a good ride. For the most part, Phase 1 of the park looks to be complete except for the plantings (learn more).
I spoke to a number of the skaters today, who had heard about the park through friends. What I found surprising was that none of the people that I spoke to were from Buffalo, although I do know that there were some Buffalo riders there. The largest crew that I came across was from Niagara Falls. Another girl was from Boston Mass. The girl I spoke to told me that there was nothing like this in her neighborhood and was beside herself that Buffalo had such a great park. When I told her that this was only the first phase she was shocked. As more skaters arrived (that were not familiar with the set-up) they raved about the place, saying how nice it was.
I am sure that the LaSalle Park skate plaza will soon become a waterfront destination unlike any other in the city. Hopefully, as the success of the park reaches the ears of City Hall, the powers that be will get cracking on raising funds for the second and third phases. It’s times like this when we can collectively sit back and be proud of our city – a city that is finally starting to “get it”.