By Matthew McLaughlin

Dozens of Somerville residents met at Albion Park on July 14th to discuss renovation plans for the park.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 5 Alderman Sean O’Donovan, as well as city officials and police attended and heard a variety of ideas as well as concerns from people.

This was one of a series of meetings held by the city and Weston and Sampson, a construction company with experience in building parks around Massachusetts. Cheri Ruane, a project manager with the company, said they look forward to collaborating with the city and its residents.

“We will be cognizant of the fact that people want a really beautiful park,” Ruane said.

Several residents expressed desires to see a variety of features at the park, as well as concerns for the future of the park. Several residents spoke in favor of adding an area for skating and roller blading.

Michael Sampson, a Somerville youth and avid skater, said a large, empty concrete area would be large enough for a skate park without taking away from the basketball court or youth play area.

“I think of all places, Albion Park is a great area for a skate park,” said Adam Rich, a Winter Hill resident. “Regardless of where it is, Somerville youth need a skate park.”

Other residents spoke to support green space at Albion Park. Ruane said that they will attempt to prune and keep the trees currently at the park. One request for green space, however, drew reactions from residents concerned that green space will take away from youth activities. Greg Rego, 18, from Winter Hill, said renovations at Perry Park, where he played basketball for years, no longer has anything for teenagers.

‚ÄúMy memories of Perry Park are gone,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúI’m all about keeping the tradition of (Albion Park), which includes a basketball court.‚Äù

Arn Franzen, director of parks and open space for Somerville, said Perry Park was a project that involved strong community support.  Albion will include the same consideration from residents, he said.

“This is very much your opportunity to tell us what you want,” he said.

Chris Collette, 20, from the Lexington Park area, said he hopes the city and residents think about Somerville youth when considering renovations.

“Somerville is a sports city,” he said.. “We should have more places for basketball and street hockey, not less. I think it is a mistake to replace that with green space.”

Some residents were concerned about lighting, both lack of and excess of, that will encourage teens to use the park for drinking and drug use.

“Lights lend themselves to punks playing basketball all night,” one resident said, adding that lack of lighting in the far reaches of the park encourage “punks” to break the law. “We who have lived here for many years have seen many problems.”

City and Weston and Sampson officials will be surveying Albion Park Thursday July 31 between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. and will welcome advice from the community, said Ellen Schneider, Landscape Project Manager for Somerville.