19 BRONX WEEKLY January 20, 2019 www.BXTimes.com
Change.org City Island skate
park petition gets traction
park on City Island because
it would be something
good for kids in the
community who are inside
playing video games and
who need to get active,”
said Austin.
According to the petition,
many pre-teen City
Islanders who want to increase
their skateboarding
profi ciency cannot leave
the island without a parent’s
accompaniment.
Nearby Orchard Beach
would be a perfect fi t for a
concrete skate park with
hills and ramps for action
sports practice, according
to the petition, because
the beach has parking and
available land.
Orchard Beach is also
actively policed, 24-hoursa
day, and tended to by NYC
Parks Department staff,
which would help “prevent
the negative behavior skate
parks are notoriously stereotyped
with,” according
to the petition.
“It is hard to believe
that the largest public park
in NYC does not have a single
space for skateboarders
and BMX riders alike
to practice and train their
skillsets,” states the petition.
Ideally, they would like
to see the construction of
an 8,000 to 10,000 square
foot skate park, said Blake.
Blake said that if the
area the group has in mind
wasn’t feasible, they would
be willing to work with
NYC Parks Department to
fi nd a suitable location.
Members of the group
have spoken to Councilman
Mark Gjonaj, who
whole-heartedly supports
their efforts.
“This group is enthusiastic
and they want to
be a part of something,”
said Gjonaj, who said he
suggested the online petition
to spark energy and
support for the plan after
meeting skate park supporters.
The councilman said
that he would work at the
City Council to help design
a skate park to meet their
needs and to create a facility
where competitions
could occur.
“It is no longer going to
be that you see these competitions
in California on
the beach, but right here in
the Bronx, at our own ‘Riviera’,”
said Gjonaj.
from Page 1
Family and friends of Drew Cottam (pictured), who passed away in a car accident at the age of 18, have
started a petition in his memory calling attention to what they believe is a need for a skate park in
Pelham Bay Park that would allow skateboarders, scooter riders and BMX enthusiasts chances to hone
their skills. Photo courtesy of the Cottam family
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MALE FATALLY SHOT IN WEST FARMS
Police need your help solving a fatal shooting in West Farms. Police responded to a
report of a male shot near East 178th Street and Boston Road on Monday, January
7 at 7:19 p.m. Upon arrival, 48th Precinct police offi cers discovered an unconscious
and unresponsive Jerodd Watkins, 38, inside of a vehicle with a gunshot wound to his
head. EMS responded to the scene and transported the West Farms resident to St.
Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. No arrests have been made
and the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to
call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are kept strictly confi dential.
POLICE INVESTIGATE SHOOTING AT E. 219TH STREET
Police need your help solving a fatal shooting in Williamsbridge. Police responded
to a report of shots fi red in front of 1024 E. 219th Street on Wednesday, January 9
at 5:43 a.m. Upon arrival, 47th Precinct police offi cers discovered an unidentifi ed
man, unconscious and unresponsive, lying on the ground with gunshot wounds to his
torso. EMS responded to the scene where they pronounced the victim deceased. No
arrests have been made and the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with
information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are kept strictly
confi dential.
(Above) Police secured the area as they conducted their investigation.
Photo by Edwin Soto
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