Danbury, CT potential spot

**couch** · 08-18-2009 10:31 AM

Hey guys, I used to live in Danbury (ridgefield actually, pretty much right on the border) before I longboarded. Moved about 2 years ago. I lived right next to this abandoned place on a hill. The road up to it was pretty sweet - check out the map, if my memory serves, the grade starts around where I put the A, and mellows out after that right turn. At the intersection at the bottom there was a gate that was usually locked. I don't know if it's still abandoned (I used to go quite a bit, the only people I ever saw were the snowplow guys and they didn't care that I was snowboarding there), or if it would actually be fun (since I only skated it on a street deck, trying to go slow & not die), but if anyone lives in the area it might be worth checking out.

If anyone checks it out, let me know, I'd be curious to hear how it is

from: 41.375981,-73.542101 to: 41.375971,-73.538833 - Google Maps

**killdozer** · 08-18-2009 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by couch

Hey guys, I used to live in Danbury (ridgefield actually, pretty much right on the border) before I longboarded. Moved about 2 years ago. I lived right next to this abandoned place on a hill. The road up to it was pretty sweet - check out the map, if my memory serves, the grade starts around where I put the A, and mellows out after that right turn. At the intersection at the bottom there was a gate that was usually locked. I don't know if it's still abandoned (I used to go quite a bit, the only people I ever saw were the snowplow guys and they didn't care that I was snowboarding there), or if it would actually be fun (since I only skated it on a street deck, trying to go slow & not die), but if anyone lives in the area it might be worth checking out.

If anyone checks it out, let me know, I'd be curious to hear how it is

from: 41.375981,-73.542101 to: 41.375971,-73.538833 - Google Maps

Went to Middle School and Graduated High School in Danbury. Lived there till 95'. Great place to live/skate.

I havn't been to that area in about a year since I was home visiting but that whole area near the golf course is great for skating as well as behind the airport.

**ConnLongboarder** · 08-18-2009 06:24 PM

I wonder if this is the old Hat Factory????

There was a company there in the mid/late 90's called MicroCast. They were supposed to be the "you tube" before youtube started - basically - TV for the internet. It was a windy road heading up there - now empty - and right on the NY State line.

I also am curious how the garage in downtown Danbury is - not much hockey happening lately - so maybe it is empty?

**killdozer** · 08-18-2009 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by ConnLongboarder

I wonder if this is the old Hat Factory????

There was a company there in the mid/late 90's called MicroCast. They were supposed to be the "you tube" before youtube started - basically - TV for the internet. It was a windy road heading up there - now empty - and right on the NY State line.

I also am curious how the garage in downtown Danbury is - not much hockey happening lately - so maybe it is empty?

I thought the old Hat Factory was somewhere between West St and Lake Ave? Hmmm...

**couch** · 08-18-2009 08:17 PM

I would guess that it's not the hat factory, only because this is technically in Ridgefield (Danbury is hat city right?). I just said Danbury cause more people know where it is.
MicroCast makes sense, I remember there were a lot of satellite dishes.

I guess the trashers haven't been playing since the "garbage collection"

kingpin got busted eh? I remember there was a garage, but at the time I didn't pay much attention to parking garages.

**RBriggs85** · 08-19-2009 03:40 AM

Dude the satilite view of the building looks like an old hospital, it's abondoned?
How was the pavement?

**couch** · 08-19-2009 04:53 AM

Originally Posted by RBriggs85

Dude the satilite view of the building looks like an old hospital, it's abondoned?
How was the pavement?

It was abandoned 2 years ago, can't say for sure if it still is.
I can't remember what the pavement was like.

**killdozer** · 08-19-2009 09:24 AM

I know where you are talking about now. We used to have bottle rocket and roman candle fights back in there. It's been about 16 years though lol.

**MountainDewski** · 08-26-2009 12:53 PM

ill go check that place out today let u guys now how it is

**MountainDewski** · 08-26-2009 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by MountainDewski

ill go check that place out today let u guys now how it is

its still abandoned theres a gate at the bottom of the hill so theres no cars but u have to park and walk up. good hill lots of sticks and pebbles toward the sides. also lots of cracks i went over them with 69mm 80a wheels no problem. if ur close by this hill give it a shot. dont expect much but its pretty fast and its got a couple turns. its not perfect, but it was fun

**MountainDewski** · 08-26-2009 08:43 PM

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...=UTF8&t=h&z=17

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...=UTF8&t=h&z=18

two hills i hit in fairfield county cross pond in brookfield fresh pave, butternut ridge in netown good pave both dead ends

**Baron182** · 10-12-2009 04:17 PM

Dont know if anyone is interested but the best run in Danbury is the Berkshire industrial Center Behind Stew Leonards. 7 to 8 % grade and 1/2 mile long. Start from the top at GE capitol. I haven't seen any security on the weekends and since the road coming from GE capitol is used best time is early A.M. Its 4 lanes wide but slide speed checking is required.

Enjoy

**MountainDewski** · 10-12-2009 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Baron182

Dont know if anyone is interested but the best run in Danbury is the Berkshire industrial Center Behind Stew Leonards. 7 to 8 % grade and 1/2 mile long. Start from the top at GE capitol. I haven't seen any security on the weekends and since the road coming from GE capitol is used best time is early A.M. Its 4 lanes wide but slide speed checking is required.

Enjoy

i go here just about every weekend. i like this place its not to fast for sum of my friends who dont really sk8 we were there till like 9 last saturday spent a good hour there n no trouble got 6 or 7 good runs

**Baron182** · 10-31-2009 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by MountainDewski

i go here just about every weekend. i like this place its not to fast for sum of my friends who dont really sk8 we were there till like 9 last saturday spent a good hour there n no trouble got 6 or 7 good runs

Thanks for the tip on cross pond road its smooth and you can really get moving.
By the way when was the last time you were at Berkshire Industrial Park. I ran into some security guy last weekend and he wasn't to happy to see me.

**Shavarsh** · 10-31-2009 09:34 AM

HOW FAsT WE TALKIN, COULD SOMEONE GIVE ME AN ESTIMATED mILE PER. HOUR RATING ON THE HILLS MENTIONED sorry, didn,t know capslock was on

**MountainDewski** · 10-31-2009 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Baron182

Thanks for the tip on cross pond road its smooth and you can really get moving.
By the way when was the last time you were at Berkshire Industrial Park. I ran into some security guy last weekend and he wasn't to happy to see me.

ya cross pond is great the hill in the back is good for some decent speed. i havent been to the corpo park to much lately i got sum dirty looks so i just bail ealry its not worth the BS. still lookin for more hills everyday. ill pm you if i find anything worth it in the area. also if u got ne more good hills im all ears. thanks

**Baron182** · 11-01-2009 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by MountainDewski

ya cross pond is great the hill in the back is good for some decent speed. i havent been to the corpo park to much lately i got sum dirty looks so i just bail ealry its not worth the BS. still lookin for more hills everyday. ill pm you if i find anything worth it in the area. also if u got ne more good hills im all ears. thanks

I've done the back hill and th 90 degree turn in from the top but you have to foot brake or slide check before the turn. Back hill my gps says 33 mph. Look up local124 longboardin in google then go to the world skateboard map. You will get a detailed map of runs in ct. I've done the runs under 35 mph. Also I make night runs to the Scoville parking ramp in waterbury but you have to look up palace theater in waterbury. If they have a show on the lot is open. Also the lot is open until 7p.m. weekdays. I usually get there around 7:30 pm and get a two hour sesstion. Its 6 decks with an elavator. Excellent place to practice heaside speed checks or footbraking.

**leeks** · 11-01-2009 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Baron182

I've done the back hill and th 90 degree turn in from the top but you have to foot brake or slide check before the turn. Back hill my gps says 33 mph. Look up local124 longboardin in google then go to the world skateboard map. You will get a detailed map of runs in ct. I've done the runs under 35 mph. Also I make night runs to the Scoville parking ramp in waterbury but you have to look up palace theater in waterbury. If they have a show on the lot is open. Also the lot is open until 7p.m. weekdays. I usually get there around 7:30 pm and get a two hour sesstion. Its 6 decks with an elavator. Excellent place to practice heaside speed checks or footbraking.

if youre from danbury, you should totally get out to south britain (check local 124 for the runs) shits epic
just watch out for the po.

**ConnLongboarder** · 11-01-2009 07:39 PM

Baron - hit up the Waterbury Garage Bomb Thread if you plan on heading to Scovill St. garage. I tend to go on Sundays, but hopefully will catch you there one of these times...

**Baron182** · 11-03-2009 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by ConnLongboarder

Baron - hit up the Waterbury Garage Bomb Thread if you plan on heading to Scovill St. garage. I tend to go on Sundays, but hopefully will catch you there one of these times...

ConnLongboarder Thanks for the tip I will check that thread out. I'm usually busy on Sundays that why I head over there on week nights. I will probably be heading over to wheelabrator in the next two weeks to check it out. From what I've seen on Vemeo the video's of the place it looks moderately fast and on google earth it looks pretty straight. Have you ever been there ?