YPSILANTI, MI - A vision of turning a rundown tennis court into a DIY skate park is becoming closer to reality in Ypsilanti's Prospect Park.

A group of local skaters have been working since 2011, with the approval of the city, to re-imagine the court into a concrete skate park. What started out as two benches could grow into a permanent collection of concrete installations.

Gregory Trevino of Ypsilanti is one of the several people behind the push to expand the obstacles in the park, and to repair pre-existing ones.

"In the beginning, we'd build things and they'd be here for two weeks, three weeks maybe and then it'd just fall apart. So we started cementing," Trevino said. "But it's been a challenge in the winter with the concrete obstacles undergoing freeze and thaw."

An online fundraising effort is underway, with a goal of raising $5,000 by Oct. 1. They've already secured $2,340 in the seven months the page has been up.

Jack MacConnel, another supporter, said the endgame is to make the park more appealing for kids and families to visit. While new skating obstacles are nice for them, he said the group is more interested in providing a space for kids interested in pursuing skating to have a space to do so.

"This is a big movement in the skateboarding scene: building DIY parks and helping each other out," MacConnel said.

In addition to raising their own money by hosting concerts and cookouts in the skate space, Trevino said the group has received a number of small grants from donors like local skate company 96Broncos and California skate company The Berrics.

Even Ypsilanti city officials have been vocal about their support for the project.

"Initially, there were some concerns about what those kids are going to do (with the area) and if they'll get hurt, but that's part of skateboarding," said Ypsilanti City Councilman Pete Murdock.

When the group was approached by the city shortly after they started using the old tennis court, Murdock, whose district includes the park, stepped in on behalf of the skaters to make sure they weren't removed.

He believes their presence helps with keeping the park clean, and that more installations in the area encourage different types of people to visit Prospect Park.

"The city and the parks commission are supportive of the skateboard project," Murdock said. "We need to have some (more) communication and coordination (between the groups), so everyone's on the same page and we're working to better do that."

MacConnel and Trevino said the group is hoping to maintain the small space they have for as long as possible.

They don't want to expand the skate park or look for other locations. They'd rather put their funds into maintenance and upkeep at the park they already occupy, Trevino said.

"In the beginning, it was just a free for all: people would want some (obstacle) in the park so they'd just go and build it," Trevino said. "It feels good to (now) have something of our own and give kids a place to see if they're interested in skating."