New Skate Jam In Jersey City Aims To Bring Community Together

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Two local DJs are rolling out the fun in Jersey City's Berry Lane Park, literally. A series of "Skate Jam" parties are scheduled for the summer, bringing the roller rink and all the tunes that come with it, right to Berry Lane Park.

DJ George Aiken and DJ Duce Martinez had been planning the outdoor bash for two years — the original plan was to host the event in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put everything on hold. Now, as safe gatherings resume and residents get vaccinated, the duo saw their opportunity to celebrate getting through a tough year.

There are plenty of events in and around Jersey City that incorporate music, but Aiken told Patch, the skate element was something different that he noticed Berry Lane Park was perfect for. Berry Lane is one of New Jersey's largest skate parks and was built with a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation.

"It was something different — it was something that the city needed to see and needed to be a part of," Aiken said.

The Skate Jam at Berry Lane Park is scheduled for 12 to 7:30 p.m. on July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11. It is sponsored by the Friends of Berry Lane Park.

Aiken said he and Martinez brought the idea to the City Council as well as the Office of Cultural Affairs, and it was received with open arms.

"We thought it would be something small, and it turned out to be bigger than we thought, which is a blessing," Aiken said. The Facebook messages from excited residents haven't stopped coming in after Aiken published the flyer online.

Aiken said he hopes the event will be a way for the community to come together.

"We want to bridge the gap between music and the community and bring people together, stop the violence," Aiken said. He reiterated what several councilors have echoed — more community events and engagement can bring the youth together and divert them from potentially dangerous activity.

The park will have a barricaded area to create an outdoor roller rink, and a space in the center of the rink, for residents to dance without their skates on. Music will play from a DJ area in the center of the park, and food and retail vendors will be scattered throughout. Aiken said the event will also feature a surprise artist who will perform her newest single.

Aiken grew up in Jersey City and has watched the community grow and change with his family. He hopes events like the Skate Jam will be a way for him to give back and continue the tradition for summers to come.