I travel to NY fairly often, and try to get a session in at Tompkins for each visit. I had some great convos on the benches. About 10 years ago, I spent many of summer days kicking it with Shawn Powers (prior to palace, when the reboot of Shut was still in business) and he was cool to chat/kick it with. Danny Garcia and Dylan showed up once to skate flat, and Dylan popped one of the biggest f/s heels that I had ever seen. Although he was going fast, the board flicked pretty slowly. It was really graceful. Also, got to skate flat with PJ, when he lived close by. At 12th & A, Robbie Gangemi, Eli Reed, and Gino were all hanging there, but were just cruising around and didn't skate much. Robbie popped a few proper nollie 180s.
Less is more. I really don't care for all of the obstacles set up at Tompkins. In the past coupe of years, the vibe of the place seems a bit off. I'll still drop by whenever I'm in the city. Mostly out of habit.