The corner loop skating rink, often more than just a place for recreation, has played a significant role in shaping communities. These rinks have served as social hubs, employers for young people, and even safe havens. This article explores the history and impact of such rinks, using examples and anecdotes to illustrate their importance.
Map of Millennium Park, highlighting the location of a modern skating rink.
The Loop: A Community Center on Wheels
The Loop Roller Disco, known simply as The Loop, was a popular destination in its heyday. According to Greg Evans, the owner, and numerous roller skaters, The Loop attracted local and national celebrities, politicians, and other well-known figures. However, its significance extended beyond celebrity sightings.
It served as an employer and safe haven for many young people in the community. Many young people stayed out of trouble so they could skate. It was also a social center where relationships were developed.
Interesting fact: The Loop is now home to Trinity United Church of Christ.
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Flipper's Roller Rink - Roller Rink History
Transformation and Urban Development
Urban development projects often lead to the transformation of existing landmarks. The original path of the Inner Loop’s last arc shows how urban landscapes evolve over time. The filled-in loop section has already begun to transform the landscape of the East End neighborhood.
Construction on the Union Street section of the loop at its intersection with East Avenue illustrates this process. The same section, filled in, demonstrates the completed transformation. The intersection of Union Street and East Avenue facing north circa 1962 contrasts sharply with the modern landscape.
Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park in Chicago, near the McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink.
Anderson Park: A Green Space Shaped by Time
Anderson Park, bordered by Main Street on the northwest side, Union Street on the east side, and University Avenue on the south side, has also undergone significant changes. Hundreds gathered for a Christmas celebration at Anderson Park in December 1913, showcasing its historical importance as a community gathering place.
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Donated by Rochester’s German community in 1908, the statue of the 18th century poet and philosopher later became something of a mecca to the city’s teenaged lovebirds. The somewhat sizeable Anderson Park in 1935. The truncated tuft of greenery that constitutes the current Anderson Park. Schiller on the move in the spring of 1964. The post-loop picture is much starker.
Personal Stories of Displacement
The construction of urban infrastructure often leads to displacement. Mrs. George R. Woods had been living in an apartment at 72 Joslyn Place with her teenage son and dog when she received the news that her building would be demolished in 1962. By this time, all of the apartments at 72 Joslyn Place had been vacated. All except the one occupied by Mrs. Woods.
She and her son kept themselves warm in the frigid flat by donning their wooliest clothing. A sheaf of paper notes remained permanently affixed to her door. One warned: “Leave my things alone until I get moved tomorrow afternoon or I will turn my dog loose. I need my things. Can’t buy more.” Another missive, directed to her postman, informed: “Don’t believe I’ve moved away. I’m still here. Mrs. Woods’ standoff continued even after all the other structures on the street had been demolished and her building became the target of routine rock-throwing by neighborhood children. A home being leveled for the loop in 1962. Demolished.
Modern Examples: Millennium Park and McCormick Tribune Plaza
Grainger Plaza (formerly AT&T Plaza, Ameritech Plaza and SBC Plaza) is a public space that hosts the Cloud Gate sculpture. It is located in Millennium Park, which is a park built to celebrate the third millennium and which is located within the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. Lying between Lake Michigan to the east and the Loop to the west, Grant Park has been Chicago's front yard since the mid-19th century.
The plaza is located above Park Grill, above and behind the McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink, adjacent to the Chase Promenade, and between the North and South Boeing Galleries. The plaza and the Cloud Gate sculpture sit atop the 300-seat $6 million Park Grill, which opened in November 2003 behind the McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink. The surface of the plaza is concrete. The plaza is composed of 25,200 square feet (2,340 m2) of concrete pavers.
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The plaza was originally named Ameritech Plaza for Ameritech Corporation, the corporate sponsor, who donated $3 million for the sculpture-hosting plaza's naming rights. By the time the park officially opened in 2004, Ameritech had merged with SBC Communications and the plaza was called SBC Plaza. Cloud Gate was originally estimated to weigh 60 short tons (54.4 t; 53.6 long tons) because it was impossible to estimate the thickness of the steel compatible with the desired aesthetics. The final piece, however, weighs 110 short tons (99.8 t; 98.2 long tons) and care had to be taken in supporting it.
The roof of the Park Grill, upon which Cloud Gate sits, had to be strong enough to bear the weight. A large retaining wall separating Chicago's Metra train tracks from the North Grant Park garage travels along the back side of the restaurant and supports much of the sculpture's weight. In 2006, annual Christmas caroling began at the plaza. Because of its elevation above the McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink, the plaza has become a prime viewing location for jazz concerts held during the summer at the McCormick Tribune Plaza.
Oklahoma Skating Rinks
The state of Oklahoma boasts a rich history of skating rinks, each contributing to the local culture and community spirit. Here's a compilation of various skating rinks across Oklahoma, categorized by region:
Panhandle/NW, OK City Metro, W. of I-35 and N.
- O K Skateland 2212 S 4th St, Chickasha, OK
- Century Skateland 300 Bizzell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK (was Skateland of Midwest City, now as Star Skate)
- Comet Skating Club 5800 NW 36, Oklahoma City, OK (Rocket Skating Club, Roll-A-Way, now as SkateGalaxy OKC)
- Elston Skateland Thomas, OK
- Elston’s Skate Land 301 W Main St, Watonga, OK
- Fun Wheels Skate Center 3405 23rd Street, NE, Oklahoma City, OK
- Gold Rush Entertainment Center 3819 S Division Suite 13, Guthrie, OK (now a storage place)
- J & A Skating Rink Rt 1 Box 33, Fay, OK
- J & K's Route 66 Roller Rink 103 Northeast Hwy 66, Sayre, OK
- Joyland SE 29th Street, Oklahoma City, OK
- Norman 2020 W. Lindsey St., Norman, OK (Skateland, Skateland of Norman, Star Skate)
- Rainbow Fun Emporium 5909 Aero Drive, Tuttle, OK (Skate Fever)
- Rainbow Roller Rink 205 SE 2nd St, Guymon, OK
- Rocket Skating Club 5800 NW 36, Oklahoma City, OK (Comet Skating Club, Roll A Way, now SkateGalaxy OKC)
- Rocket Skating Club 6401 South Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK (Southwestern Skate Center now South Skate)
Northeast, East of I - 35 and N.
- "Tent" Rink Perry, OK (relocating often)
- Ivan Kennedy's permanent location replacing "Tent" Perry, OK(?) Skating Rink 61805 East 315 Rd, Grove, OK (Rocket Skating Plus)
- 7 Ply Skate Park 5845 S Garnett Rd, Tulsa, OK
- Arena Roller Rink 550 East 11th Street, Tulsa, OK
- Arena Roller Rink Tulsa State Fairgrounds, Tulsa, OK
- Bartiesville Roller Rink 1040 NE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK (Mid Cities, and Roller City, Rock-N-Roller Skate)
- Bristow Skating Rink 126 6th E., Bristow, OK
- Classic International 4821 S Sheridan #228, Tulsa, OK
- Coweta Skate Center 11931 South Hwy 51, Coweta, OK
- Crystal City Amusement Park Rink Crystal City Amusement Park, 4200 Southwest Boulevard, Tulsa OK
- Electric Amusement Park Rink Crystal City Amusement Park, 4200 Southwest Boulevard, Tulsa OK
- Holy Roller Skating Rink 61805 East 315 Rd, Grove, OK (Rocket Skating Plus)
- Hot Wheels 11665 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK (Skate World)
- Henryetta Skate Center 316 Main W., Henryetta, OK
- L.O. Mitchell Arena Tulsa, OK
- Miami Skateland 430 N Main St, Miami, OK (Treasure Hunt)
- Miami Skateland 58251 East 100 Rd, Miami, OK
- Mid-Cities Skate Center 1040 NE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK (Roller City, Bartiesville RR, Rock-N-Roller Skate.)
- Mid-Cities Skatetown 409 W Caddo St, Cleveland, OK (Likely former owner's address). (Skate Town)
- Mid-City Skate Center Claremore, OK
- Midway Skateland Hwy. 64 E., Muldrow, OK
- Ne-Mar Skate Center 950 4th W., Claremore. OK (Roller World Party Center)
- Orbit Roller Rink 701 South Jim Thorpe Blvd, Prague, OK (Roller Jammer)
- Owasso Skate Center 9000 N Garnett Rd, Owasso, OK (Rick’s Rollerena)
- Pryor Skate Center 339 W Graham Ave, Pryor, OK (Skate Party Play, Roller City of Pryor, Rinky Dink RR)
- Rick's Rollerena 9000 Mingo Valley Expwy. N., Owasso, OK (Owasso Skate Center)
- Rinky Dink 401 East Broadway # B Ct., Sand Springs, OK (SKATES Entertainment Center)
- Rinky Dink Roller Rink 339 W. Graham W., Pryor, OK (Prior Skate Center, Roller City of Pryor, Skate Party Play)
- Rock-N-Roller Skate 1040 NE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK (Mid Cities, and Roller City, Bartiesville Roller Rink)
- Roller City 1040 NE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK (Mid-Cities, Rock n Roller, and Bartiesville Roller Rink )
- Roller City of Pryor 339 West Graham Ave, Pryor, OK (Rinky Dink Roller Rink, Skate Party Play, Pryor Skate Center)
- Roller City Skating Center 551 West Oakland Pl, Broken Arrow, OK (Broken Arrow Roller Sports)
- Roller Land 1621 S Choctaw Rd, Choctaw, OK (Now ALIVE RINK AGAIN!)
- Roller World 316 Main W., Henryetta, OK (Skate World? Henryetta Skate Center, Was Morgan Theater)
- Rollin' R Roller Rink 2196 W Rogers Blvd, Skiatook, OK (Antique Depot). Rolling Wheels 611 N 4th St, Stilwell, OK Local Gyms…
- Sand Springs Skating Center 401 East Broadway Ct, #B, Sand Springs, OK (Rinky Dink, now SKATES)
- Shell Creek Roller Rink 117th West Ave. N., Sand Springs, OK
- Skate Key Hwy. 66 W., Stroud, Ok (On Route 66 Mother Road)
- Skate Time 812 W 9th St, Okmulgee, OK (Skateland U S A)
- Skate Town 409 W Caddo St, Cleveland, OK (Likely former owner's address) (Mid-Cities)
- Skate World 1001 Knight Rd, Ponca City, OK
- Skate World 11665 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK (Hot Wheels)
- Skate World 11675 21st St. E., Tulsa, OK
- Skate World 2136 69th St. E., Tulsa, OK
- Skate World 316 Main W., Henryetta, OK (Roller World, Henryetta Skate Center was Morgan Theater)
- Skateland 1150 S Sheridan Rd, Tulsa, OK (Skateland Tulsa)
- Skateland S of Grove, Grove, OK
- Skateland Tulsa 1150 S Sheridan Rd, Tulsa, OK (just off of Historic Route 66 Mother Road) (Skateland)
- Skateland U S A 812 9th W., Okmulgee, OK (Skate Time)
- Skatetown 307 S 5th, Cleveland, OK (Likely owner's address)
- South Tulsa Skating Center Tulsa, OK
- Starlite Roller Rink 9715 New Sapulpa Road, Sapulpa, OK (Now as Route 66 Roller Dome)
- Starlite Skate Center 9751 Route 66 (Mother Road), Sapulpa, OK (Now as Route 66 Roller Dome)
- Stillwater Skating Center 112 E, Richmond Rd, Stillwater, OK (Now Stillwater Christian School)
- Tahlequah Skating Rink 1518 Grand N., Tahlequah, OK (SkateHouse)
- The Roller Dome 1519 North Cimarron Plaza, Stillwater, OK
- Tiger Land Skate Center Coweta, OK
- Tigerland Grill & Skate 1135 Poplar E., Fort Gibson, OK
- Tulsa Skating Center 10777 S.
Southeast, East of I - 35 and S.
- Ardmore Skateland 1201 (1211) Veterans Blvd, Ardmore, OK (aka Skateland)
- Benson Park Roller Rink Benson Park, Shawnee, OK
- Big Ben Skating Rink HC 70 Box 19 Antlers, OK
- Carousel Roller Rink Hwy.
Southwest, West of I - 35 and S.
- American Legion Skating Rink Carnegie, OK
- Corral Skateland S of Pauls Valley, Pauls Valley, OK
- D & A Skateland 3 1/2 Mile Commanche Hwy N, Duncan, OK
- D & K Skateland 1108 Old Hwy 81, Duncan, OK (Paradise FFC, Roller Express, Little Rugratts... , Sk8express)
- Doe Doe Park Skating Rink Doe Doe Recreation Park 344 SW Sheridan Street, Lawton, OK
- Flashback Skating Rink 803 N Carnegie St, Carnegie, OK (Stella’s Place)
- Little Rugratts & Friends I & II 1108 S Highway 81, Duncan, OK (Roller Express, D & K Skateland, Sk8express)
- O K Skateland 2212 S 4th St, Chickasha, OK
- Paradise Family Fun Center 1108 S Highway 81, Duncan, OK (Little R..., Roller Express, D & K S..., Sk8express)
- Roller Express 1108 S. Hwy.
These rinks represent a diverse array of recreational venues that have served communities throughout Oklahoma, offering spaces for entertainment, exercise, and social interaction.
| Region | Number of Rinks |
|---|---|
| Panhandle/NW, OK City Metro | 11 |
| Northeast, East of I - 35 | 40 |
| Southeast, East of I - 35 | 4 |
| Southwest, West of I - 35 | 11 |