A grassroots movement to build a skate park in Onset is gathering steam as community members and local skaters come together to turn an idea into a reality.

"We want to build a skatepark that the skaters actually like," said Kristen Coviello, a member of the Onset Bay Association and co-coordinator of the committee trying to build a skate park in Onset.

The proposed location of the skate park is on the backside of the town-owned Hammond School. The park would go in between the school and the tennis and basketball courts and around the sides of the courts.

She said even though there are skate parks in Buzzard's Bay and at the YMCA in Wareham, there is a chance to build something better within the community.

"They're built poorly, no one uses them and they're generic," said professional skater Anthony Shetler, of the other local parks.

The 31-year-old Shetler was enlisted by Coviello to help with the project, since he has experience building skateparks in other towns, such as Taunton, where his skateboarding company All I Need Skate, is based. He said the two main obstacles to getting parks built are insurance and breaking down the stereotypes of skateboarding.

Shetler said the skating community is filled with active, positive people from all walks of life. He said he teaches lessons to everyone, from little kids to a 37-year-old heart surgeon.

"You should invest in the people who are ambitious, inspired and forward thinking, he said. "You want to multiply the amount of people in your community with these qualities."

Shetler and Coviello both agree that local skaters are behind the effort.

"Every kid I know says they want to make this happen," Shetler said.

"Oh yea--I'm really excited about it," said Eddy Walsh, 18, a Wareham native who said he and some friends would be attending the May 31 fundraiser for the skate park.

"A lot of kids go to other towns to skate at their parks, but me and my friends like to keep it local," said Walsh, during a skate session at the basketball courts on Viking Drive.

Coviello said once the committee obtains a permit for the fundraiser they can begin the design process and move forward with initiatives, such as applying for grants with the Tony Hawk Foundation, which helps construct skate parks in low-income neighborhoods.

Coivello is in talks with Pivotal Concrete, a company that specializes in skate parks, as well as Martin Johnson, who built an urban skate park in New Bedford.

Kat Jones, another member of the Onset Bay Association and skate park committee, said the park would cost about $100,000 and require town support and permits.

According to Coviello, the park would bring people into Onset year round to patronize the area.

"They'll be at the park shoveling snow in the winter," she said.

For more information on the project and the May 31 fundraiser, go to facebook.com/skateonset.

"You should fund the things that people love," Shetler said.