The Uncertain Fate of Schenectady’s DIY Riverside Skatepark
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A Community-Built Park in Limbo
Since 2021, skateboarders in Schenectady’s Stockade neighborhood have transformed a neglected set of Riverside Park tennis courts into a bustling do-it-yourself (DIY) skatepark. What began as a single cinderblock ledge and a small ramp has grown into a full array of obstacles – from rails and banks to improvised quarter-pipes – all built and maintained by local skaters with the help of a nearby skate shop. By 2024, this unofficial skate spot had clearly become a “piece of paradise” for the skating community, yet its fate remains up in the air. City officials acknowledge the park’s existence but have not assumed responsibility for it. As of mid-2025, the skaters still take care of the park themselves, while the City of Schenectady weighs what to do next.
We visited the Riverside DIY skatepark to understand its status and what the future might hold. Here’s what we found, based on conversations with those involved and available public information.
Current Status: Who Maintains the Skatepark?
At present, local skateboarders are the sole caretakers of the Riverside skatepark. The city’s parks department does not service the area, so skaters have taken it upon themselves to keep the spot safe and clean. One longtime skater, Dan Folger, even acts as the park’s unofficial maintenance man – he recalls when the tennis courts were once choked with weeds, which skaters cleared and sealed long ago. Today, volunteers regularly sweep debris, repair ramps, and ensure the obstacles (some of which are firmly cemented into the ground for safety) remain in good condition. “They do a good job of keeping the area clean and skateable”, as one reviewer noted.
Crucially, the skateboarding community itself has invested in the park’s equipment. Many of the ramps, rails, and other fixtures were donated or built by Town & Country Skate, The Ramp Man, and members of the community. Town & Country Skate Shop – a local skate shop based in Scotia, NY – played a key role by rallying donations of materials and even helping construct features like pipes, rails, and ledges. (When asked, Town & Country did not publicly quantify how much time or money they’ve put into the project, They did tell us “it’s to be experienced”, but their social media shows numerous community fundraisers and build days). The shop continues to support the scene, even hosting periodic “skate jams” at the Riverside location, keeping the park vibrant and drawing skaters from around the region. .
For now, the DIY skatepark remains free and open to all, essentially operating on a “skate at your own risk” basis. There are no staff or formal rules posted by the city. Instead, the local skaters enforce a common-sense code: be respectful, keep the park clean, and look out for each other. This self-policing has been effective – the park’s users take pride in their creation and treat it like their own property. As a result, the park is welcoming and well-kept despite its unofficial status, proving how much a motivated community can accomplish on its own.
Why Hasn’t the City Made It Official Yet?
With two years of discussions come and gone, many are asking: What’s taking so long to legitimize this skatepark? The holdup boils down to bureaucratic hurdles and liability concerns. City officials initially were wary of anyone using the derelict tennis courts for skating, fearing injuries or lawsuits. Although authorities have largely eased off enforcement (skaters are no longer chased away from the lot as they were in the early days), the city still hasn’t formally sanctioned the park.
One city official we spoke with explained that the park’s “ad hoc design causes issues getting it insured.” In other words, because the ramps and structures were not engineered or installed under city supervision, the city’s insurance carrier might not cover accidents there. Formally adopting the DIY setup as-is could expose the city to liability – a risk the administration is not yet willing to take. The city’s Corporation Counsel (top attorney) has reportedly been consulted on how to handle these liability questions. (General Services Commissioner Paul LaFond noted back in 2021 that any permanent use of the space would require addressing “obvious concerns around safety and liability insurance” for a skate park on city land). These legal and insurance questions have slowed progress toward official recognition.
Another complicating factor is that Riverside Park’s courts were, on paper, slated for other uses. City plans and grant money have earmarked that section of the park for renovations – potentially to rebuild tennis or add pickleball courts. In fact, Schenectady received federal stimulus funds in 2022 for park improvements, including $250,000 to restore Riverside’s courts. If the city were to endorse the skatepark permanently, it might have to sacrifice or alter those original plans. City Hall has therefore been exploring alternative locations or designs for an official skatepark. In late 2022, officials even discussed trying to relocate the makeshift park elsewhere in the city, though no suitable site was ever agreed upon.
Community input is also being sought. The administration has been in talks with the Stockade Neighborhood Association to gauge local residents’ feelings and recommendations for the park’s future. So far, neighborhood feedback has been largely positive (more on that below), and city leaders appear open to working with the community. “There are ongoing discussions with the Stockade community about what to do”, the official told us, indicating that “everything is on the table” – from keeping the skate spot as part of the park’s layout to repurposing the area for multiple uses. This collaborative approach, while commendable, has contributed to the slow pace; formal decisions have been continually deferred as all stakeholders weigh in.
Finally, budgeting and bureaucracy play a role. Schenectady’s 2025 adopted budget is $116.7 million – about 6% larger than 2024’s – and includes a modest property tax increase. Within that budget, the city allocates over $1.4 million for general liability insurance. In theory, adding coverage for a small skatepark would be a minor cost (estimated around $1–5k per year), barely a blip in the insurance budget. However, securing that coverage might require certifying that the park meets certain safety standards. Essentially, the city would likely need to upgrade or rebuild parts of the DIY park to meet code (e.g. proper concrete ramps, approved materials, safety inspections) before an insurer signs off. That means investing time and money – hence officials being cautious and methodical about any commitment to “take over” the skatepark.
Effects on the Community
Despite its unofficial nature, the Riverside skatepark has had tangible positive effects on the local community. Many neighbors and nearby residents have come to appreciate the presence of skaters in the once-neglected corner of Riverside Park. What used to be an empty lot attracting unsavory activity and “riffraff” is now full of young people practicing kickflips and cheering each other on. According to those living adjacent to the park, this is a welcome change.
Local resident Christian Musser, who lives right across the street, told us that “skaters have been a pleasant addition to the stockade, and have helped keep the riffraff down.” He noted that the skateboarders generally keep to themselves and respect the community, creating a friendly atmosphere rather than a disruptive one. Other neighbors echo this sentiment: one longtime Stockade resident told a reporter that the DIY skate spot is “the best thing that has happened to that park,” citing how it turned a forlorn area into a lively, positive space. Even the Stockade Association president has acknowledged hearing mostly good things about the skaters’ presence.
Not only have residents observed improved safety, but local law enforcement sees little downside as well. We spoke with a few Schenectady police officers (who preferred not to be named). Each of them remarked that they’ve “never had to respond to any crimes” at the Riverside skatepark. The officers described the folks at the park as friendly and respectful of the environment – certainly not a source of trouble. This anecdotal evidence aligns with official reports: a police department spokesman confirmed that the skate park has been quiet and problem-free. In short, the fears some might have about a DIY skate park attracting delinquency have not materialized in Schenectady. If anything, the opposite has happened – the skaters actively police the grounds, deterring illicit behavior through their regular presence and stewardship.
Beyond safety, the park has fostered a sense of community and youth engagement. On any given day after school or on a weekend, you’ll find a diverse mix of skaters there – kids as young as 5 learning to balance, teenagers perfecting tricks, even older folks reliving their youth. They share tips, lend each other boards and helmets, and celebrate each other’s progress. The environment is welcoming: “no ego, all love and encouragement,” as one visitor described it. Several parents have even brought their children just to watch or practice on the flat ground, knowing they’ll find a supportive crowd of experienced boarders willing to help the next generation learn.
The skatepark’s positive cultural impact is also notable. It has essentially created a free outdoor recreation spot in a city that previously lacked a skatepark. Local skateboarders, who used to be scattered and sometimes unwelcome in parking lots or plazas, now have a home base. This keeps them off the streets and sidewalks (reducing conflicts with pedestrians or businesses) and provides a healthy outlet that didn’t exist before. In the words of one organizer, “It’s a community of DIY… the place has evolved from one or two obstacles to an assortment of ramps and rails… [the park] is sorely needed in the Electric City”. With skateboarding now an Olympic sport and growing in popularity, having a local facility means kids who can’t travel to Albany or Clifton Park finally have an accessible venue to pursue this passion. It’s clear that the Riverside DIY skatepark has filled a void for the city’s youth – and done so at virtually no cost to taxpayers.
Approaches in Other Communities
Schenectady is not the first place to grapple with how to handle a DIY skate spot. Nearby towns and cities have taken a variety of approaches to provide skateboarders with a safe space while managing liability and costs. Looking at these examples could inform Schenectady’s solution.
- Clifton Park, NY: About 20 miles north, the Town of Clifton Park opened its Action Park in 2006. It’s an official municipal skatepark, but it operates with a “ride at your own risk” policy and minimal supervision. The town explicitly posts that it “will not be liable for injuries” and isn’t responsible for personal property at the park. Essentially, skaters use the facility at their own discretion, and by doing so, accept the inherent risks of the sport. This approach has worked well – the Clifton Park supervisor noted they’ve had only a few minor injuries over many years and no serious incidents. Occasional issues like graffiti vandalism have been manageable, requiring brief closures for cleanup, but overall the park is a success and heavily used. The takeaway: a well-built park with proper signage and community oversight can thrive without burdening a town with lawsuits, especially if users understand they are assuming the risk.
- Albany, NY: The state capital, just 20 minutes away, took a more formal route. After years of local skaters lobbying, Albany built a new concrete skatepark in Washington Park (dubbed “Blue Banks”) which opened in 2017. The city hired a professional skatepark design firm (Stantec) and contractors to construct a modern facility. The result has been positive – Albany’s park is free to use and has become a fixture for the region’s skateboarders. One interesting aspect is that, even in a designer-built park, skaters continue to modify and personalize the space over time. A landscape architect involved noted that skaters “take ownership of the park and they keep modifying it… the obstacles are ever changing” on certain sections. In other words, cities can embrace skater creativity within a safe, planned framework. For Schenectady, Albany’s experience suggests that investing in a purpose-built, permanent skatepark (perhaps even on the current DIY site) could be a longer-term solution – albeit at a higher upfront cost than the DIY approach.
- Other Towns: Across the country, there are famous examples like Burnside Skatepark in Portland, OR and FDR Park in Philadelphia – both started as unauthorized DIY skate havens that were eventually embraced by their cities. In those cases, the cities granted official status to the parks after seeing the strong community support and positive impact. Typically, that meant agreeing not to demolish the DIY structures, working with skaters to make some safety improvements, and adding the parks to the cities’ insurance rolls. These success stories show that legalizing a DIY skatepark is possible when officials and skaters collaborate. Closer to home, smaller cities from Lake George, NY to Boston, MA have built skateparks with community input (some designed by the same firm as Albany’s). The trend is clear: municipalities that once hesitated about skateparks due to liability have found ways to mitigate risks, either through insurance and signage or by proper design, and in doing so they’ve gained vibrant community spaces.
In Schenectady’s case, there is also a cautionary tale in what not to do: simply tearing out the DIY park without offering an alternative could squander a golden opportunity. Over 1,200 people signed a petition in 2022 asking the city to save the Riverside DIY skatepark instead of converting the area back into generic sports courts. Skaters argue that they are not requesting city funds – just permission to keep improving the space themselves. The petition points out that the city’s plan to rebuild those tennis courts for pickleball would cost taxpayer money, whereas “the local skate scene would not need to request” such funding. That grassroots energy and goodwill are assets the city can leverage, rather than quash, by working with the skate community going forward.
Can the City Embrace and Expand the DIY Park?
Is it feasible for Schenectady to take this already-designed, already-used skatepark and make it official? In a word, yes – but it would require some flexibility and investment. City officials have hinted that one possibility is a compromise: legitimize part of the park and redesign another part for other uses. For example, the city could formalize two of the four old court slabs as a skatepark, while using the others for basketball or pickleball. This kind of mixed-use plan could satisfy multiple groups and make the most of the existing space.
To legitimize the skatepark, the city would likely need to bring in professional help to inspect and improve the DIY structures. Some of the wooden ramps and rails, while impressively built, might need reinforcement or replacement with more permanent materials (like concrete or steel) that meet recreation safety standards. The good news is that the layout and concept are already proven – the local skaters effectively designed a park that they enjoy and that works for the site. City engineers or hired skatepark specialists could use the DIY layout as a blueprint, tweaking it where necessary rather than starting from scratch. This could save time and money compared to designing a brand-new park on a blank canvas.
Crucially, if Schenectady embraces the current park, it can also harness the passion and labor of the skate community. The same volunteers who built Riverside’s features are eager to collaborate on any upgrades. Town & Country Skate Shop and the broader skating community have shown they can fundraise and even construct ramps themselves. An agreement could potentially be reached where the city permits and oversees construction of more permanent concrete obstacles by qualified volunteers or contractors, under certain guidelines. (This approach was actually suggested in the skaters’ petition – allowing concrete builds within city restrictions.) Essentially, the city could expand upon what’s already there by formalizing a public-private partnership: the skaters provide the labor and some funds, the city provides the land, insurance, and perhaps materials or technical assistance.
From a liability standpoint, once the park’s features are up to code and the site is officially designated as a skatepark, the city’s insurance should cover it – as it does for playgrounds, pools, or other recreational facilities. Clear signage (e.g. “Skate at your own risk. Users assume all inherent risks of skateboarding.”) and perhaps requiring helmets could further reduce risk. These are standard measures many towns use. It’s also worth noting again that well-maintained skateparks do not tend to generate many claims; as mentioned, Clifton Park had virtually no serious incidents in nearly two decades. Schenectady’s own experience so far – zero police calls or lawsuits related to the DIY park – is encouraging. With the park legitimized, the city could also implement basic maintenance (like occasional trash pickup or surface repairs), but given how the skaters already handle most upkeep, the ongoing costs would remain low.
In short, it is absolutely possible for the city to build upon the DIY project and make it official. It comes down to political will and finding a path through the red tape. The current trajectory suggests city leaders are open-minded but cautious. The next steps might involve community workshops or design sessions, perhaps even bringing in a skatepark designer to consult. If all goes well, Schenectady could turn this grassroots project into a sanctioned city skatepark without losing the authentic DIY spirit that made it special.
Looking Ahead: Potential Benefits of an Official Skatepark
What does Schenectady stand to gain by embracing the Riverside skatepark? As it turns out, quite a lot. Here are some key benefits and opportunities that legitimizing the park could offer the city:
- Enhanced Youth Recreation: An official skatepark provides a designated area for young people to be active and engaged in a productive hobby. It’s essentially an outdoor youth center that requires no staffing. As we’ve seen, it attracts not just seasoned skaters but beginners and kids who might otherwise be indoors or getting into mischief. Supporting this outlet aligns with the city’s interest in youth development and healthy activities.
- Community Pride and Engagement: The DIY skatepark has already galvanized community spirit – local skaters and supporters take pride in what they built. Official recognition would validate their efforts and encourage further civic engagement. The park could host events, competitions, or festivals that draw spectators and families, showcasing a positive aspect of Schenectady’s community life. (In fact, skate jams at Riverside have already drawn crowds; formalizing the park could allow for bigger events or city-sponsored programs.)
- Revitalizing Public Space: Keeping the skatepark is arguably a better use of Riverside Park’s courts than reverting them to underused tennis or pickleball courts. The skatepark has breathed new life into a once-blighted area, turning it into a “vibrant space full of life and culture,” as one observer described. This contributes to the overall revival of the park and the Stockade neighborhood. A lively skatepark can also attract visitors from other areas – skaters who come to town and then might grab food or drinks nearby, subtly boosting the local economy.
- Low Cost, High Reward: Compared to building a brand-new facility from the ground up, adopting the existing skatepark would be relatively inexpensive. The community has shouldered much of the burden so far. Even if the city invests in upgrades (let’s say a few tens of thousands of dollars for concrete work or insurance), that is a small price for a permanent recreational asset. For context, Schenectady’s annual budget for unallocated insurance is over $1.4 million – adding a few thousand for a skatepark policy is negligible when weighed against the benefits. And unlike many projects, this one has a group of volunteers essentially ready to maintain it for free, as they have been all along.
- Public Safety and Inclusion: An official skatepark would continue to keep skaters off of private property and busy streets, reducing potential conflicts or damage elsewhere in the city. It sends a message that the city values its skateboarding youth rather than pushing them out. Inclusive cities provide spaces for all kinds of interests – skateboarding included. Embracing the park would show Schenectady is a place that can adapt and turn a once-negative space into a positive community asset.
The Schenectady DIY skatepark at Riverside Park stands at a crossroads between uncertainty and opportunity. On one hand, it remains an unpermitted setup living on borrowed time; on the other, it has proven to be a resounding success in terms of community building and recreation. The question is whether the city will continue to let it languish in limbo or move forward to officially integrate it into the parks system. From what we’ve learned, the support from local residents, skaters, and even police is there. Solutions for the insurance and safety challenges exist, as demonstrated by other communities. As a first-person witness to this story, I am optimistic – it feels like the momentum is in favor of legitimizing the park.
For now, Riverside’s skatepark lives on thanks to its dedicated skaters. They will be out there every day, rain or shine, proving the value of that little patch of concrete by the Mohawk River. It’s our hope – and theirs – that City Hall will recognize what they have: a diamond in the rough that, with a bit of polishing, can truly shine as a permanent fixture in Schenectady. The ball (or rather, the skateboard) is in the city’s court. Let’s see if they ride it.
Sources:
- Paul Nelson, “Future uncertain, Schenectady makeshift skate park considered sacred by riders.” Times Union, Oct. 22, 2021.
- Pete DeMola, “Schenectady seeking alternative location for makeshift skate park.” Times Union, Oct. 10, 2022.
- Change.org – “Save the Riverside D.I.Y. Skatepark” petition text (Town and Country Skate Shop & Schenectady Skateboarders, 2022).
- Lucas Willard, “Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy releases 2025 budget proposal.” WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Oct. 2, 2024.
- Wanderlog guide – Riverside Skatepark reviews & description (compiled from Google reviews, 2024).
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