Skatin’ Place: A roller skating hub in San Francisco

(KRON) — Every Sunday, roller skaters gather at Skatin’ Place in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, creating a vibrant scene filled with music and movement.

Skatin’ Place, located near 6th Avenue and Fulton Street, has been a beloved spot for roller skating enthusiasts for decades. It serves as a permanent home for the Church of 8 Wheels, a community founded by David Miles Jr., who is a pioneer in the local skating scene.

“I don’t do nothing else, last time I had a job was in the 80s, I love skating, it makes me feel free, it’s like I can fly,” said David Miles Jr., founder of the Church of 8 Wheels.

“This is my passion, it’s free, I skate with expression,” said Darryl Sims, a longtime friend and fellow skater.

David Miles Jr. has been instrumental in advocating for roller skating in San Francisco. He played a key role in making JFK Drive, which connects to 6th Avenue, permanently closed to car traffic, allowing skaters to enjoy the area safely.

Roller skating at Skatin’ Place continues to thrive as a cultural and community hub in San Francisco, thanks to the efforts of passionate individuals like David Miles Jr. and the Church of 8 Wheels.

Watch the full report from KRON4’s Lindsey Ford in the video at the top of this story.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published.