The town has dedicated $125,000 to the project, which was expected to cost about twice that amount. But Playle's rough estimate of $742,000 for an all-concrete park—the unanimous preference of skateboarders in the town—surprised council members.

Playle's firm, Indigo Architects, also presented sketches and a $768,000 estimate for a hybrid concrete-and-ramp park, which was originally expected to be a cheaper alternative to the all-concrete design. But rising steel costs have made that a more expensive option, Playle said.

Though he asked for rough estimates of a simpler, ramp-based park, Councilman Joe Pirzynski said that if the skate community really wanted a nice concrete park, it would have to take on the task of raising the funds itself.

"The community is going to have to step up and say, 'You know, we want it, and here's how we're going to get it,'" he said. "The issue of the at-grade steel park is not acceptable. At the same time, we've got three-quarters of a million dollars to be invested in this park."

Playle said he has never seen a community raise more than about $30,000 through bake sales, carwashes and other traditional fundraisers. The town's best chance at getting the park is through major donors, he said, whether they contribute money, materials or labor.

The good news, though, is that those who will be using the park like the preliminary design. Skateboarders gathered at the second design workshop Aug. 18. They drew actual-size outlines of the proposed features in the Miles Avenue parking lot slated to be the park site. Many of the same teenagers created those features either with clay, sand or pencil and paper at a similar workshop last month.

"I like it," said 13-year-old Kevin Peth. "I think it would be good. I thought it was gonna be a lot smaller, but I think it will be a pretty good-sized park."

Fellow skater Eric Reichwein,12, agreed. He said that being able to contribute to the design made it even more desirable.

"That's the best part," he said. "You can make it to be what you like."

Parents and other community members said they don't think raising the necessary funds will be too much of a problem.

"I think in Los Gatos, it's not gonna be a problem," town resident Serina Eichelberger said at the workshop. "It took a long time for the community to be comfortable with the idea of a skate park. Now, they're like, 'Hey, they won't do it in my front yard anymore.' "

Eichelberger contributed a number of ideas for fundraisers, such as phone campaigns, a "skate-a-thon" or the sale of bricks engraved with donors' names for use at the site.

Parent Craig Herman said the skateboarders themselves should make an effort to assist with fundraising.

"I think the kids are gonna have to work at this," he said. "I don't want to see this just signed, sealed and delivered to them."

Kevin Thatcher, former editor and publisher of Thrasher skateboard magazine and a Los Gatos resident, was at the workshop to talk about the park's design elements with the skateboarders. Asked if he thought the community was up to the task of raising the necessary money, Thatcher nodded and said, "This is Los Gatos."

He said prominent community members, business owners and developers should step forward with major contributions to show support for the skateboarders, or, if necessary, the skateboarders should donate their time to construct the park—something he has seen happen in other cities. But parents would be needed to drive the fundraising efforts.

"I'll write a check," he said. "But these are your kids, ladies and gentlemen."

Mayor Steve Glickman said the town would try to ask for some donations, but it could only do so to a limited extent; it would not be ethical for town representatives to ask for money from donors who also do business with the town, he said. That's why a parent organization would be helpful.

"I think the community has the ability [to fund the park] if it's brought to their attention," he said.

And that's why Playle asked the skateboarders to talk to their parents about the need for money. Reichwein said he would "definitely" do his part.

"All of my relatives will be hearing about this tonight," he said.

The council is scheduled to discuss the park again Sept. 20.