To turn local youngsters' dreams of a skateboard and BMX park into reality, Glassport has spent a little bit of money and a big allotment of good will.

Because of a donation and good timing, the borough's former tennis court on Harrison Street, which, in recent years, had fallen into disrepair, is now a busy skatepark used by dozens of skateboarders and cyclists.

It all began about eight months ago, when six teenagers appeared at a borough caucus meeting to ask for a skateboard and BMX bike riding facility in the community, similar to the skatepark in Beltzhoover's McKinley Park.

Council President Terry DiMarco and his wife, Rose, visited that park, talking to young people about the site's popularity.

In a twist of fate in the weeks shortly afterward, Terry DiMarco ran into someone who asked him if the community would be interested in free equipment for such a skatepark.

Mike Leber, 19, who shops at Pa. Cheap Skates in North Versailles, said the owner of the shop, Damon Marraccini, was moving that shop to Rainbow Village Shopping Center in White Oak, and was closing the skatepark he ran next to the shop. Marraccini told Leber he was free to take whatever park items he wanted.

An hour after that fortuitous meeting, DiMarco was talking with Marraccini, who told him he arrived just in time as other towns were calling to take advantage of his offer.

The new park is adjacent to a basketball court, on Harrison Street in the borough's blossoming mini riverfront recreation center, near its boat docks, pavilion, trails and fishing spots.

Three weeks ago, borough workers finished installing Marraccini's donation of such items as rails, ledges, barriers, pipe, banks and other materials indigenous to skateparks.

The only cost to the borough was $2,900 for a fence and $700 for insurance. There was no price tag put on the donation.

The park opened to rave review from those who use it. Sam Piazza, 14, of Glassport, called it "awesome," and said he'd spend his summer skateboarding there because the community pool would most likely remain closed for the second consecutive year.

Dominick Borreggine, 18, of Liberty, said that while he enjoys riding his BMX bike there whenever he has free time, it is young teens who have the most to gain because the skatepark offers an alternative to experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

Cody Carlson, 14, of Glassport, said police officers chased him off the main streets when he rode his BMX bike as it violated a borough ordinance.

Today, he spends his after-school time at the park, trying jumps, doing tricks and talking with friends.

"We'll get the kids off the street. We'll know where they are, and they'll be safe," DiMarco said of the facility.

His plans call for asking council's approval to connect the wiring for lights at the park, and to buy some new wood and paint.

In the meantime, youngsters such as cousins Tommy Harding, 11, and Todd Carman, 11, who would otherwise be playing video games, come to the park every day with their scooters, skateboards and bikes.

"I like it also because everybody is nice here," Harding said.