Bicyclists and in-line skaters have long been a familiar sight in Inwood Hill Park, but that wasn’t always the case. Until 1948 bicycles and even roller skates were banned from the park. The photos below, ripped from the pages of the New York Post, show the spring day more than sixty years ago when cyclists and skaters alike were allowed to cruise legally for the first time.
According to the caption: “Inwood Hill Park, long closed to kids on bikes and skates, is open to them today. No longer need they play in traffic-dangerous streets. Park Dept. employee Morris Siegal crosses out “forbidden” in sign at park entrance. Marion Healy, Tommy Galvin and his sister Una (right) were among the first to use the new skating area.”
But let’s not let the story end there. Marion, Tommy and Una, are you still out there? I’d love to hear your memories of Inwood in the 1940’s and 50’s. I encourage others to comment below as well.
I loved going to Inwood Park it was the best place to go. I played softball games there and hung out there alot with friends. Watched Little League games , football etc
I would love to hear from them also just because i grew up there almost all my life and seeing their picture is amazing to me.
[…] March 1948: The Parks Department, for the first time, opens Inwood Hill Park to bicycles and roller skates. […]
Inwood Hill Park was great for my parents as they knew we were safe for the day. The best thing was that I didn’t have to cut the grass. In the early 80’s I ran into the Italian gentleman who did cut the grass on Arthur Avenue, told him that I remembered him and made his day.
Now, does anyone have a picture of Charlie the barber in the N/W entrance of the 207th St. subway?