"Okay everybody, this is the last song," announced DJ BMG to the crowd of people flying around the perimeter of Murray's Skating Rink. He slowed down the vibes with "All Cried Out" by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. As the song played over the speaker system, a young boy on 4-wheelers watched from behind the glass in calm amazement. He turned to a girl who was taking off her skates.
"So this happens EVERY WEEK?"
"Yes!" she said. "And if we're lucky sometimes they'll reverse it and we'll skate the other way."
Today, Aug. 21st, 2026 is the final skate session of the summer season.
Every Friday for the past 12 weeks, skaters new and seasoned gathered at Murray's Ice Skating Rink to roll the night away. And those who couldn't? Well, at least they tried! Eager learners were quickly introduced to the mechanics of gravity as the slick wheels beneath their feet gave way to the ground sending their feet every which way but straight.
This was far from the weekly scene at the old Wheels skating rink on Yonkers Avenue, according to Raymond "Ray" Vasquez.
Roller skating regained popularity during the COVID-19 lockdown, as people were looking for safe ways to pass the time. In the 80s, Yonkers used to be a hot spot for teenage skaters. Now those teenagers are bringing their children and passing down the tradition.
"Wheels used to be a skating spot, all the kids used to go, like a thousand kids every weekend," says Vasquez, a former local party promoter who hosted events at the rink. "These young kids weren't around then!"
Skaters roll the night away at Murray's Rink
Every Saturday hundreds of kids would gather and go round and round. It would get so packed eventually skating had to transition to a regular dance party.
"A lot of kids don't even know how to skate though, you see. That's crazy... Skating is fun!" say Vasquez.
The kids caught on to this fact quickly. Once they were used to the smoothness of the skates they stiffly made their way around the rink, not too far from the rim, just in case they needed some added stability, which they often did. Even so, the smiles never left their faces, except briefly when reacting to a fall, only to quickly return as they got up to try again.
"It's good to bring kids together and keep them somewhere they ain't getting in trouble or nothing," says Ray.
From left Selena Wallace, Blake Leak, Kathy Daorile & Tonia Lyn Jenkins all frequented Wheels skating rink in the 80s
"Skating is my exercise, my outlet, my passion, my therapy. I love skating, I go skating everywhere. Jersey, Rockerfeller Center, Central park, everywhere," says Selena Wallace, one of the adult skaters at Murray's. She wore a classic pair of short shorts and matching red top and knee-high tube socks. Selena Wallace has been skating all her life. In her youth she skated in Harlem at Empire and Rooftop she recalls.
"I am so excited to see that skating is having a come back. 2, 3 years even 5 years before it wasn't this popular. It gives kids something new to do. Instead of sitting home, playing video games doing the same. To bring the newness to something that is so old for the young kids is so nice to see. I hope they do this more."
Her advice to the beginners: "bend your knees and swing your hips!"
Wallace first started skating with an after school ice skating program. "If they could do that for young people, early, they'll grow a life long love of it."
Today only: Admission is $14, skate rentals are $7, and seniors get in for $3 — Murray's Skating Rink, last session of the summer season.
