As reported in The New York Times, Lezly Ziering, a professional dancer who in midlife set his art on wheels, reinventing himself as a skater, teacher, coach and promoter and achieving the fame of a guru within New York City’s roller-skating subculture, died on Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 82.
For anyone who has walked through Central Park and stopped by the area, west of the Bandshell, know on most Saturdays and Sundays, the Central Park Dance Skaters Association (CPDSA) celebrate free roller skating to live DJ music at the "Skate Circle," 2:45 pm-6:45 pm. A tradition that dates back to the late 70's, early 80's. In the 90's city officials tried to ban this group due to the noise and crowds
Mr. Ziering and a fellow skater, Bob Nichols, founded the Central Park Dance Skaters Association, organizing the skaters and working with the mayor’s office to establish hours and regulations. Those efforts kept the tradition alive and established the skate circle as a sanctioned city attraction.
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