City Island residents seek to build memorial skate park at Orchard Beach

City Island residents say they're trying to memorialize a teenager who died in a car crash by building a memorial skate park in Orchard Beach.

Drew Cottam, 18, died in a car crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway between the City Island and I-95 exit ramps on Sept. 30.

Cottam's friends say he loved all things BMX and skateboarding.

Friends and family say they're pushing to have the park built in an empty space by the tennis courts that overlooks the water.

They also say this skate park would be closer for City Island residents in comparison to the Bronx's five other skate parks.

Earlier this week, the family visited Councilman Mark Gjonaj, who encouraged them to make an online petition.

That petition surpassed 2,500 signatures in a few days.

News 12 has reached out to Gjonaj for comment.

The Parks Department told News 12 in a statement, "This is the first time a skate park at Orchard Beach has been proposed. We encourage the Cottam family to continue engaging elected officials and their local community board."