This spot has to be a mega-bust, if not skate-proofed by now. Boston City Hospital circa ’88. I spent about a week there ( in the city, not the hospital ) while on a road trip. It was a bust then but you could still get a session if you were smart about it. I think they used to mention it in Thrasher every once and while, so I made sure to check it out when I was there. More pics after the jump.
You can click on the pics to enlarge. Bostonians? Somebody check in and let us know the status. Is it still there? Below: Security making his presence felt. Hey man, I’m just taking pictures!
The overhead shot. Notice the banked triangle next to the stairs in the upper left corner.
These are the stairs and banks we spoke of earlier. This kid just happened to be on scene when I left. Shortly after this picture was taken I was verbally accosted by a homeless person for skating.
The classic shot. I’ve seen skateparks that weren’t as skateable as this obstacle.
13 comments
Matt O'Connell
Turtles was near my house, got demolished in 98 or 99. My friends and I were the last to skate it with Charlie Wilkins and Vinnie Ponte, next day it was demolished after an insane session. Last people to ollie the cylinder were vinnie and Charlie, we watched Charlie try to backside flip it and almost catch it.
Jerry
Cool. I posted the photo yesterday as a story on Instagram and a lot of people contacted me asking who shot it/who the skater is. What’s your name so I can give you the photo credit? Or your account if you’re on Instagram. That photo is incredible. Any idea what year that was?
Jerry
Any idea who the skater is or who shot the photo of the frontside carve?
Kilwag
I shot the photos, I don’t remember that kid’s name. I probably knew a first name at the time but forgot.
mikemcd
..turtles is long gone…about 6 years ago maybe mo
maybe less…..i think i heard city hospital got chopped down (home of the 3am sesh)..metals last time i checked was there ….with a 2 inch lip ..dont skate it in the
rain it’ll take ya…
Conahan
Boston City Hospital
818 Harrison Ave
Roxbury, MA 02118
No idea if it’s still there. Rad spot.
chedisme
hey iv been to boston a few times and have looked for this spt for a few hours each time and still cant find it. iv been to two hospatals. can you please tell me what hospatal it is. thanks alot.
Kilwag (k.ed)
Peter: OK, no. Never made it to Turtles for whatever reason, just remembered the name.
Poor Mike: I saw Dan briefly in Chicago at an art show in late 90’s. I don’t think he was much into skating anymore.
Peter
Here’s a link with pictures of turtles.
http://thesidewaysguide.com/bostonMASS?PHPSESSID=7ab6ce4abfd1507ad6d856f0a7de9fbf
poor mike
Oh yeah Dan Estabrooks old stomping grounds! Hey kilwag, have you heard anything from him?
brad
…yeah Metals…I spent a summer as an intern at the National Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass. You would not believe the intestinal parasite burden of the typical Harbor Seal. I took the train to Harvard one Sunday, it was raining and the skaters in Cambridge kept talking about wanting to hit Metals…I hurried back to Woods Hole to observe Limulus spp. I was in that kind of mode.
kilwag
Turtles, yes, or I want to say yes but I can’t remember the spot. What was it? I remember and have pics of a spot called Metals.
Peter
I skated there at 1:00 AM one night for a little while back in ’92 or ’93. No problems with any cops or aggro homeless lurkers. Definitely a fun spot.
Did you ever skate Turtles? That place was pretty cool too.