A skateboarding competition was held at Thomas Greene Park in Gowanus Saturday, but for the organizers it was about more than just the stunts.

It marked the eight annual Gowanus Grind, and organizers say the event was meant to showcase how vital the park and other parks are to the surrounding community. They say it's essential that the Environmental Protection Agency replace any green space it takes away, even temporarily, to clean up the Gowanus Canal.

Those who organized the event are praising the EPA for reaching an agreement with the city to spare the park's pool as a site for a permanent retention tank, opting instead to build it across the street. But they say the park will nonetheless be affected by the Superfund cleanup efforts, and neighbors are hoping they won't lose the only green space they have.

The EPA will host a public meeting Monday to explain the agreement with the city, and it will also accept public comments on the proposal through May 16.