The visual and environmental studies concentrator finds film projects a convenient way to combine his life at Harvard with life at Maximus.

"I want to conspire to make a really well-produced skateboarding video of the Boston scene," he says.

While there were problems early on, many of the complaints from neighbors were leveled against the garages located next to the park.

"They did have problems in the beginning," says Larry Burke, chair of the North Cambridge Crime Task Force. "I don't think it was their fault, it was some of the other businesses there--loud noise late at night, neighbors were complaining."

In fact, Maximus offers a safer alternative to the areas that skaters used to frequent.

"It works out good for us," Burke says. "They used to skate in McLean Pool on Rindge Avenue. [Maximus] is much safer."

Riding the Half Pipe

While individual expression is part of the skateboarding and aggressive skating creed, baggy jeans and T-shirts with an attitude are de rigeur.

Tattoos and body piercings are the dominant style. One rider lampoons the Independent Truck Company with a shirt that reads, "Indecent Fuck Co."

"For people who come here, this is a big part of their lives. It's just something positive," Klein says.

Before skating at Maximus, athletes need to first sift your way through a nine-page waiver form that absolves Maximum and its owners, Ram Hannan and Doug Moore, from responsibility for "death, illness or disease, or damage to myself."

Nobody can remember a serious, life-threatening injury that occurred at Maximus, but some skaters suffer broken arms and wrists each year despite the warnings and protective gear.

Avoiding collisions is a test of skater-style Darwinism.

"If you're experienced, you know where the person is gonna be when you're gonna be there," Klein says, adding "the great thing" about skateboarding is "there ain't no rules or nothing."

Rene "The Viking" Hulgreen is one of many who pay $5 to $10 to ride the half pipe each day. He stands above the pipe, ready to drop in for a run.