AUTHOR: JILL JEDLICKA, BUFFALO NIAGARA WATERKEEPER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This is the first in a four-part, guest author series, highlighting what is possible through the vision of a restored Scajaquada Creek corridor. This series shared over the next two weeks, will place a priority focus on a community-inspired vision for Scajaquada’s waterway, park system, trail and transportation networks, and community revitalization.
IN A RECENT WEDNESDAY WITH OLMSTED, WE WERE THRILLED TO HAVE MARGARET LAPP, SOUTH PARK ARBORETUM CURATOR, SHARE SOME INSIDER NEWS ON THE ARBORETUM RESTORATION!
Learn more by watching this video featuring Margaret and Olmsted’s forestry team! Read More
SIX “WATERFRONT” PROJECTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED A COMBINED $2 MILLION BY THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY GREENWAY FUND STANDING COMMITTEE. THE FUNDING, DESIGNATED FOR BEAUTIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ALONG THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY PORTION OF THE GREENWAY, COME AT A TIME WHEN MANY ORGANIZATIONS ARE SCRAMBLING TO SECURE CAPITAL DURING AN UNCERTAIN TIME DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.
With quarantine measures, social distancing, etc., non-profits have not been able to rely upon traditional fund procurement methods.
BUSINESSMEN KNEW WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO FOR THE EMERGING CITY, SO THEY WENT OUT AND HIRED THE BEST. THE RESULT WAS AN ENVIABLE PARK SYSTEM.
As Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks system prepares to celebrate the 200th birthday of its namesake, it’s worth noting that the system might never have happened had it not been for the ambition, ingenuity and envy of the city’s early business leaders.
FOR ALL THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE BUFFALO OLMSTED PARK SYSTEM, THERE HAVE BEEN BIG PIECES LOST ALONG THE WAY, INCLUDING A REFRACTORY LOST TO FIRE; A NEARLY 5-ACRE ROSE GARDEN WHERE THE BUFFALO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE WAS BUILT AT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARK; A LAKE HOUSE AT FRONT PARK; AND THE ORIGINAL MARCY CASINO AT DELAWARE PARK.
The system also lost a few smaller parks entirely, including Bennett Park in South Park and Masten Park, where the high school bearing that name was built.
