By MOSES BUSTOS

A skateboarder wants a bank to ledge. Another wants longer runways to pick up speed. A third one requested a bowl.

These street-style obstacles served as source material for an impending skate park at the Williamsbridge Oval Park. The scope meeting on May 18, hosted by the Office of Councilman Andrew Cohen, who represents the area, drew representatives from the New York City Department of Parks and local community groups.

Visions of half pipes, pyramids and ramps were shared in an open dialogue. Cohen argued that by using public input to help shape the development of the new park project, the final product would ensure the satisfaction of not only taxpayers, but also those who enjoy the park grounds on a regular basis.

Securing the $750,000 in funding necessary to build a “quality park” was his end of the bargain, said Cohen. “Now it’s up to the Parks Department to make the most of this money,” he said, motioning towards a rendering of the 8,000-square-foot space cleared for construction.

Which is why local skaters were invited to share their perspective. Park designer Judy Tung presented existing New York City park layouts and a possible blueprint for the allotted venue, highlighting the many ways the park could be oriented.

Brian Cantwell, another designer with the Parks Department, agreed that the available area showed much promise, he told the Norwood News. The space and funding provided are “comparable to that of larger parks throughout New York City,” he said.

With the added input of local residents, city planners hope to maximize the potential of the now-vacant lot based on the needs and preferences of the people most likely to enjoy it.

“What do you want to see?” asked Sheila Sanchez, president of the Friends of the Willamsbridge Oval [FOTWO]. Though younger members of the audience were hesitant to chime in at first, Linda Bonilla, Bronx Outreach Coordinator with the Partnerships for Parks, assured them that “the whole idea of this conversation is to get feedback.”

Eager to help, suggestions from the audience came pouring in. Ramps, drops, rails, the pros and cons of 4-steps vs. 3-steps and the importance of transitions between obstacles were openly discussed. James Asante, a 19-year-old skater, even provided a hand-drawn sketch of the ideal “park flow.”

No suggestion, like marble flooring for instance, was too far-fetched not to be mentioned, while others, like outdoor lighting, were indeed outside the budget. “It will probably cost us over a million dollars to add lighting,” warned Tung.

Suggestions and requests were abundant. “There’s so much input,” said Tung. At one point, Brian De La Rosa, an 18-year-old skater in the audience, recommended another meeting be organized with “just the skaters,” and just like that, an interim meeting was slated for less then a month from now.

In an effort to speed up development, Deputy Chief of Operations Larry Scoones, advised against budget changes. “We want you to enjoy this park while you’re still on skateboards, and not walkers,” he said, citing the long process by which suggestions in budget changes can delay park projects.

Residents are now tasked with submitting their sketches by the first week of June to the office of Councilman Cohen. Offering up his own scanning machines and office resources, Cohen implored those with input to email his office as well.

When asked what can be expected moving forward, Cohen said it’s all up to the kids and the Department of Parks now. “It’s hard enough getting young people to participate like this,” he said. “I’m happy with this meeting’s turnout.”

With so many suggestions, it’s likely some of the newer skateboarding terminology may be lost on older members of the development team. “Take pity on us, we’re old and don’t know what some of these words mean,” said Scoones with a smile.

Many of the audience members were indeed teenagers; most wielding skateboards of their own. Though they were only kids, they were also the most vocal. “We’re old farts,” Scoones joked. “[But] with the help of the kids, they’ll be able to enjoy this park before they’re our age.”