"Lately there has been some discussion of pothole repair and anyone who's been in the park this spring could not miss the rapid deterioration of the drives. While every street around the park has been repaved in the past 5 years (for drivers), the Central Park drives have not been repaved in over 10 years (I recall a grainy repaving somewhere between 1992 and 1994).

Many of you may have probably noticed the significant decline in skaters on the park drives. As someone who participated seriously in long distance speed skating from 1990 to 2002 before moving to cycling, I understand that skating has declined in popularity, however, I believe the park drives have contributed. For those of you who have done any significant amount of skating know, the smoothness of the surface is light years more critical than in cycling. In the last 4-5 years I was skating, skating in Central Park became increasingly uncomfortable and frustrating. Any minor injuries were excacerbated by the endless vibration from the pitted, grainy surface. I finally gave up skating and started cycling.

The potholes in the park have become a disaster waiting to happen. When I questioned the TA a few years ago why they were not pushing for a repaving of the park drives, they seemed oblivious to the problem and directed me to email a Central Park official. When I emailed them, I received a polite email in return which characterized the drives as ""in good condition.""

If any street in the city was in the condition of the park drives, it would certainly be targeted for repaving. I believe Central Park has not been repaved in more than 10 years to discourage recreation on the park drives.

Jay"