Thank you to our supporters!

In 2012 the Conservancy has accomplished a great deal of work through the generous support of our members, hard working staff, and dedicated volunteers.  Projects have been undertaken in everyone one of our parks.  Here's a glimpse of how you've helped us in 2012:

Almost 500 forsythia have been planted along the Terrace at Front Park as an upgrade to the Peace Garden Landscape.

A traffic circle at its historic location along ring road at the entrance to South Park was installed. The perimeter of the circle is lined with cobblestones and it was heavily planted with the help of M&T Bank volunteers.

Massive community volunteer tree planting in Delaware Park in conjunction with the Alliance for Community Trees.

Continued restoration of the Cazenovia Casino building interior.

Completion of the restoration of the MLK, Jr. Park Shelter House complete with handicap accessibility.

RiverRock Gardens in Riverside Park will entail the installation of rain garden/ maintained meadow environment following the historic alignment of the Olmsted designed minnow pools.

For more information visit our website at www.bfloparks.org 

New Chairs & Tables in the Buffalo Olmsted Parks

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BOPC, EAST HILL FOUNDATION, AND BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS RESULTS IN NEW TABLES & CHAIRS FOR THE PARKS

A $5,000 grant from the East Hill Foundation was applied to the purchase of building materials for the construction of 20 wooden picnic tables and 30 Adirondack chairs by Buffalo Public School students for placement throughout the Buffalo Olmsted Parks system.  Students from McKinley High School’s Careers and Technical Education program (CTE) were responsible for constructing all 20 wooden picnic tables.  The CTE program covers many different fields in several different high schools and integrates rigorous academics with relevant career and technical skills, as well as workplace attitudes and behaviors.  The Adirondack chairs were built by CTE students with special needs from the Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts and ranged in grade levels 7 to 12.  The construction project was coordinated by Director of CTE, Kathy Heinle.

“The students are more than happy to participate in constructing the chairs for the conservancy’s use,” Heinle said.  “The project increases their skills and affords them pride in a job well done.  And the CTE teachers reinforce the fact that people visiting the parks will enjoy the students’ efforts for years to come.”

Head carpentry teachers overseeing the project were Don Geil, Joe Denee, Abigail Swales, and Gerry Durak.

“Because of our wonderful relationship with Buffalo Public Schools, we can provide more comfort to the visitors of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks. We are so grateful for a project that is a win- win- win for students, the Parks and visitors,”  Thomas Herrera-Mishler, President and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, (BOPC), is a 501c3 not-for-profit, independent, community organization that promotes, preserves, restores, enhances and ensures maintenance of Olmsted Parks and Parkways in the greater Buffalo area to guarantee Olmsted Park experiences for current and future generations.

The East Hill Foundation identifies and funds innovative, charitable projects designed to enhance the quality of life of residents from the eight counties of Western New York. The Foundation also teaches stewardship to the founders' family members by supporting their projects irrespective of where they live.

The Buffalo School District is regarded as one of the premiere urban school systems in New York State. Serving 34,000 students in nearly 65 facilities, the district strives to bring exemplary teaching practices and unparalleled opportunities to its diverse student population.

Japan – US Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration in Delaware Park

Media Release, Photo Opportunity

Japan – US Cherry Blossom Centennial Celebration in Delaware Park

Buffalo, NY

Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, Consul-General of Japan in New York will dedicate 20 cherry blossom trees at the Mirror Lake in the Japanese Garden behind the Erie County Historical Museum on Friday, April 27^th at 10:00am.  The trees are a gift to the City of Buffalo from the Japanese government on the centennial of the gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan to the U.S. in 1912.  President & CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Thomas Herrera-Mishler and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown will speak at the dedication.  Members of the public and media are welcome to attend.

Who: Consul-General of Japan in New York, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, and BOPC president & CEO Thomas Herrera-Mishler

When: Friday, April 27, 2012

Where: Mirror Lake at the Japanese Garden Delaware Park

Time: 10:00am

What: A dedication of a gift of 20 cherry blossom trees from the government of Japan to the City of Buffalo on the centennial of the gift of cherry trees from Japan to the United States of America in 1912

Contact: Sal Sciandra 716.838.1249 ext33 or sal@bfloparks.org

Tree Surgery in the Japanese Garden

Ted Hildibrant and his associate, Elly, of Coldwater Pond Nursery, performed a 4-hour surgery on a rodent damaged Japanese Maple in the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park.  The surgery consisted of “bridge grafting” and “inarch grafting” scions into the tree.

By performing these remediation efforts on the maple, this tree will be able to transport the water and sugars through the bridge and inarch grafted scions.  The tree was heavily damaged by a rodent chewing away the bark and disrupting the flow of nutrients from the leaves to the roots and vice versa.  If left untreated the tree would surely die this summer.  There is no guarantee that the tree will survive but the work performed on the tree was meticulously executed and will give the tree the best chance of survival and due to the trees location and size the work was definitely worth it as the tree is irreplaceable.

Here’s a little bit more on inarching and bridge grafting techniques:

Inarching

Inarching is similar to approach grafting in that both rootstock and scion plants are on their own roots at the time of grafting. It differs in that the top of the new rootstock plant usually does not extend above the point of the graft union as it does in approach grafting. Inarching is used to replace roots damaged by cultivation equipment, rodents, or disease.  It can be used to very good advantage in saving a valuable tree or improving its root system.  Seedlings (or rooted cuttings) planted beside the damaged tree, or suckers arising near its base are grafted into the trunk of the tree to provide a new root system to supplant the damaged roots.

Bridge Grafting

Bridge grafting is another form of repair grafting-used when there is injury to the trunk, such as by cultivation equipment, rodents, disease, or winter injury.  If the damage to the bark is extensive, the tree is almost certain to die, because the roots will be deprived of their carbohydrate supply from the top of the tree.  Trees of some species, such as the elm, cherry, and pecan, can compartmentalize extensively injured areas by the development of a wound periderm of callus tissue.

On-line Golf Passes currently on sale

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy announces that seasonal golf passes are now available for sale online at www.bfloparks.org.  Golf passes will be honored at all three (3) Buffalo Olmsted Golf courses, which include Cazenovia Park, Delaware Park, and South Park.  Please read instructions for special requirements when purchasing online.  Beginning on Sunday, March 25, 2012, BOPC golf season passes will be on sale at all 3 golf courses on special sales days.  These dates for these special sales dates are detailed below:

Date	Time	Location
Sunday, March 25, 2012	10:00am - 2:00pm	All 3 Courses
Sunday, April 1, 2012	10:00am - 2:00pm	All 3 Courses
Saturday, April 7, 2012	10:00am - 2:00pm	All 3 Courses
Saturday, April 14, 2012	10:00am - 2:00pm	All 3 Courses
Saturday, April 28, 2012	7:00am - 7:00pm	All 3 Courses

Additional golf course information for  2012

Golfers wishing to secure their passes must bring proper identification (valid driver’s license), a headshot photograph no larger than 1”x 1”, and payment in the form of cash, checks, or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).  The 2012 Olmsted Golf Season starts on Saturday, April 28^th (weather permitting).  For detailed pricing structure please visit www.bfloparks.org or www.bfloparks.blogspot.com

SECOND ANNUAL FLURRIOUS! FESTIVAL RETURNS, SAT JAN 21, 2012!

FLURRIOUS!, Western New York’s park-centered winter festival returns for its second year at Buffalo’s Delaware Park on Saturday, January 21^st, 2012!   FLURRIOUS! is a FREE admission outdoor event, presented by the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy that promises to be fun-filled and action packed.  The day’s events begin at 9:00am with the “Flurrious Forecast” fun run and continue until 10:00pm!

“We’re very excited to host FLURRIOUS! for a second year” said BOPC president & CEO, Thomas Herrera-Mishler.  “We invite the Western New York community, of all ages, to come outside and celebrate winter and all that our parks have to offer!”

Activities this year include snow tennis, family skating (weather permitting/bring your own skates), face painting, igloo building, winter science workshop for kids, & cookie decorating, blacksmithing, as well as sleigh rides, cross country skiing, sled pull, snow golf, and much more.  Spectator events include a Quidditch tournament, hockey exhibition (weather permitting), and kickball & softball tournaments. 

FLURRIOUS! will feature food and beverages from Magnolia Catering, Coles Restaurant, and Rolling Joe Café.  Parking for the event can be found in the Buffalo Zoo parking lot on Jewett Parkway off Parkside Avenue, the surrounding neighborhood, and around the ring road after 10:30am.

The Master of Ceremonies for FLURRIOUS! will be WGRZ Channel 2 personality, Andy Parker!  Writers, Artists, Musicians (WAM) will be providing the music for the event, with a wide range of music styles. Event partners and sponsors include Wegmans, National Grid, WGRZ Channel 2, Magnolia Catering, Coles Restaurant, and the City of Buffalo.

For more information and registration information, please visit www.bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249.  Schedule of events and music can be found below.