Erie County Awards $50,000 to fund Operation Red Carpet

County Executive Chris Collins and Parks Commissioner Jim Hornung announced that $50,000 of county support will go toward Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy's  "Operation Red Carpet." This initiative is meant to prepare the parks for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference which will take place in Buffalo from October 19-October 22, 2011.  The Buffalo Fund for the Arts and the Baird Foundations have also matched the funds provided, doubling the county's investment. This will allow for the Conservancy to enhance landscaping in all parks in the Olmsted system this fall. The National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference will bring over 2,500 tourists and media from across the country to Buffalo.  The beautification of these parks will help Buffalo to grant a positive impression on the visitors in addition to promoting tourism.