Golf Passes for the 2013 Season Now Available!

2013 GOLF SEASON PASS SALES INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE BUFFALO OLMSTED PARKS GOLF COURSES

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy announces that seasonal Golf passes will be available “for sale” for all 3 of the Olmsted Parks golf courses including Cazenovia Park, Delaware Park and South Park online at www.bfloparks.org – under  the golf link starting Monday, March 11^th, 2013.  Please read instructions for special requirements when purchasing online.  On Saturday, March 23 2013, BOPC golf season passes will be On Sale at all 3 golf courses.  Delaware Park has an 18-hole course located on the Parkside Avenue – Nottingham side of the Park. Cazenovia Park and South Park courses’ are 9-hole courses located in South Buffalo area.

Additional golf course information for 2013

Power golf carts will be available to rent at all three golf courses; Delaware Park, Cazenovia Park and South Park.  Locker rooms with locker availability will be available for rent at Delaware Park golf course, Parkside lodge and lockers for golf bags and misc. golf items will be for rent at the South Park golf house.

Special Sales Days information

Golf passes can be purchased at all 3 BOPC golf courses starting on Saturday, March 23^rd, 2013:

See specific location, additional days and times below for purchasing your BOPC golf season pass

All 3 golf course locations                               Saturday, April 6, 10:00am - 2:00pm                                                                

All 3 golf course locations                               Saturday, April 13, 10:00am - 2:00pm       

All 3 golf course locations                               Saturday April 20, 10:00am - 2:00pm

All 3 golf course locations*                             Saturday, April 27, 7:00am - 7:00pm

 *Courses open weather permitting

* Double check with each golf course location for additional days and times they are open to purchase golf season passes.

Golfers must bring proper identification (valid driver’s license) and headshot photograph, no larger than 1” X 1”.  Cash, check, MasterCard or Visa

will be accepted for payment.

*Important:  Golf season pass cards will not be honored without a photo and signature.

Course hours are dawn to dusk, weather permitting. Check with each course golf house for hours of operation.

For more information on golf passes, league & tournament permits and single day passes, call Dave Hoover, Golf Operations Manager for the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy at 838-1249 ext. 19 or visit our website at www.bfloparks.org – golf)

The 2013 Golf season begins Saturday, April 27^th and runs through October 31^st, 2013 weather permitting.

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.

Snow Golf Tournament at Flurrious! (Jan.21, 2012)

Delaware Park Meadows Golf Course

FLURRIOUS! SNOW GOLF TOURNAMENT

Saturday, January 21, 2012    10:00AM – 2:00PM

Cost:  $5 per golfer - $10 per team

TO SIGN-UP, Contact Dave Hoover @ 838-1249, x19 or email: dave@bfloparks.org

Snow Golf Rules:  “HAVE FUN!!”

• Game Play
•  4 hole course
• Hole distances will be 110 yards to 220 yards 
• Golfers will play two rounds for an 8 hole total score
• Two player teams using “Best Ball” format to earn one score per hole. (Max. 8 strokes per hole)
• Teams will be paired for honor scoring.

Regular Play

• Only 4 clubs allowed per team.  (Steel shaft recommended due to cold temperatures).  If using a putter as one of your clubs, any shaft is okay.  BOPC Golf will provide a selection of clubs for those who do not wish to use their own.
• Color platform tennis balls (provided by BOPC Golf) will be used.  If lost a $2 replacement fee must be paid for your team to continue. 
• Mark your own ball in an identifiable manner.  Play your own ball.
• Players may create/build a “Tee” (out of snow) on the tee box only.
• Winter rules are in effect.  You may lift, clean and place ball back down.  Ball must be placed within 1 foot of original lie no closer to the hole.

Greens Play

• Poles with flag identifies each green / hole.
• NO Grooving or Trenching of snow to form ball channel is allowed. 
• Holes themselves will be 32” in diameter marked by a hula-hoop. 

Ties

• Final score tie-breaker will be closest to the pin shoot-out once all teams have completed the last hole.
• Each team will select one player.
• All selected players will hit at the same time & closest to the hole wins the tie.

All other standard PGA golfing regulations apply.

In case of any Disagreements, ALL decisions by the BOPC Golf are final.

Final Volunteer Tree Planting of the Season (December 13th, Delaware Park)

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy has an unexpected late season volunteer tree planting (Over 60 trees) because of a very large Holiday tree donation from a local Nursery!

We have to get these trees in the ground as soon as possible before the weather turns really bad on us.  On Tuesday December 13^th starting at 10am we will be planting within Delaware Park along the 198 Expressway.  We will be meeting at the large spiral bridge at the end of Lincoln Parkway & Nottingham Terrace:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=lincoln+parkway+and+nottingham+terrace&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=Lincoln+Pkwy+%26+Nottingham+Terrace,+Buffalo,+Erie,+New+York+14216&gl=us&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0

Volunteers are asked to please bring a spade shovel, work clothes, gloves, clippers/scissors/pocket knife, heavy duty wire cutters (if you have them) and be prepared to work in the rain (or snow).  You'll be meeting with Steven for sign-in and instructions.  To register for this tree planting please contact volunteer@bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249 ext 15.

Tree Lighting Ceremony at MLK Park this Saturday (Dec.3rd, 2011)

On Saturday, December 3rd, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes will be holding the first annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. All members of the community are invited to attend the lighting festivities.  An 13 ft tall Colorado Spruce has been donated to the Conservancy by Schichtel's Nursery for the lighting. The tree is located near the statue of Dr. King in the park. In addition to the tree lighting, the event will include a performance by local choir group, "Men in White" as well as a candlelight vigil led by members of True Bethel and Walls Memorial AME Zion Church. The event begins at 3:00pm.

CSX Tree Planting at Cazenovia Park (11.5.11)

From the initial announcement:

The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce a community tree-planting in the City of Buffalo’s Cazenovia Park on November 5th from 9:00am to 12:00 Noon. The planting of 30 trees is made possible by a grant from the CSX Corporation secured by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees). The donation is valued at $10,000 and will pay for the cost of the trees and their maintenance.

The event was a terrific success. The team was able to plant the trees very efficiently and quickly, replacing more of the trees lost in the October Surprise Storm 5 years ago.

We have another tree planting event coming this week, stay tuned to this blog and our Twitter feed (http://www.twitter.com/bfloparks).

Here are a few of the pictures; for the rest of them, please see the album on our Facebook page.

BOPC to host Book Launch at Marcy Casino (Saturday, October 22nd)

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce the official book launch of “Olmsted in Buffalo and Niagara” by Robert Shibley, Lynda Schneekloth, and Thomas Yots.  The book launch will take place Saturday, October 22, 2011 will be hosted by president and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Thomas Herrera-Mishler, at the Marcy Casino in Delaware Park (199 Lincoln Parkway).  The evening runs from 6:00pm until 8:00pm and will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, conversations with the authors, and a book signing.

From BuffaloBooks.com: Olmsted in Buffalo and Niagara is the first history and guidebook written about Frederick Law Olmsted and the remarkable urban parks he designed in Western New York at the end of the last century. He imprinted his vision of the world about the power of nature to heal and enrich urban life on both Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Olmsted gave Western New York two of his most important works, the Buffalo Olmsted Park and Parkway System, and the Niagara Reservation.

Pre-registration for this event is required and admission price is $30, which includes a signed copy of the book.  Attendees must contact Laura Genco in order to RSVP (laura@bfloparks.org or 716-838-1249 ext 11).

Legacy 11 Boy Scout-Invasive Plant Removal (Oct. 8th and 9th)

This past weekend (October 8th and 9th) the Legacy 11 Boy Scouts came out to help remove invasive plants along the shores of Hoyt Lake, the Japanese Gardens, and Rumsey woods near the Marcy Casino. This project involved over 100 Boy Scouts removing European Buckthron, Chinese Elm, and European Grapevines which threatened to disrupt the natural environment in Olmsted Parks. In addition to the invasive plant removal, the Scouts also completed a repainting projects at the Marcy Casino. This projects were a collaborative effort with several local WNY Boy Scout Troops, Buffalo ReUse, and Buffalo Employment and Training Center. The efforts of the Scout Troops have been very well received by park visitors and will help to make a go impression for the upcoming conference.

(photos courtesy of Boy Scout Troop 37-Kenmore, NY)

For more information on Boy Scout Troop 37, Please visit their website (http://www.kenmoretroop37.com)

Cazenovia Park Community Tree-Planting

The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce a community tree-planting in the City of Buffalo’s Cazenovia Park on November 5th from 9:00am to 12:00 Noon. The planting of 30 trees is made possible by a grant from the CSX Corporation secured by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees). The donation is valued at $10,000 and will pay for the cost of the trees and their maintenance. “This tree-planting comes 5 years after the October Surprise Storm which damaged about 90% of all the trees in the City of Buffalo” said Thomas Herrera-Mishler, president and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “This donation means a lot and will help to replenish Buffalo’s urban forest.” added Mayor Byron W. Brown. In addition to damaging 90% of the city’s trees, the October Surprise Storm resulted in 10% of the trees in the Olmsted Park System being lost outright. Additionally, another 5% have been extremely stressed and have shown a decline in health since.

“The Alliance for Community Trees is pleased to be able to help direct these funds to the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy for urban park tree planting. ACTrees is a national partner with CSX on its Trees for Tracks campaign, which has a goal of planting 21,000 trees--one for every mile of track in the CSX railway system” said Leland Milstein of ACTrees.

At its peak the Buffalo Olmsted Parks system (the nation’s first) boasted 42,000 trees. Currently that number is down to only 15,000, including the 3,000 that have been planted since the October Surprise Storm. Over the years, disease, over maturity, insects, and severe weather conditions have all taken their toll on the parks’ trees.

For those interested in volunteering, please contact Steven Nagowski by e-mailing volunteer@bfloparks.org or by calling (716) 835-1300 ext 15.

The Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees) is dedicated to improving the environment where 80% of Americans live-cities, towns and metropolitan areas. Together, local ACT member organizations have planted 15 million trees with help from 10.7 million volunteer hours nationwide. http://actrees.org/site/about-us/mission/ .

CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation suppliers. The company’s rail and intermodal businesses provide rail-based transportation services including traditional rail service and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers. Overall, the CSX Transportation network encompasses about 21,000 route miles of track in 23 states, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. More than two-thirds of Americans live within CSX’s service territory, accounting for about three-quarters of the nation’s consumption.

"Operation Red Carpet" Volunteer Mum Plantings

This past Saturday, October 8th, over 1,000 chrysanthemums were planted in gardens across the Olmsted parks system. The red mums were planted by volunteers for Operation Red Carpet. Operation Red Carpet is the name of a beautification project meant to prepare for the upcoming National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference as well as maintain the Frederick Law Olmsted designed park landscapes. In cooperation with Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the City of Buffalo, the Susan G. Komen Commemorative Grove also participated in the planting of pink mums in support of Operation Red Carpet. Mayor Byron Brown was in attendance at the Komen Grove planting. If you would like to learn more about Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, please visit our website (http://www.bfloparks.org/) or our facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BFLOparks).

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.

Operation Red Carpet (October 8, 2011)

Today, Monday, October 3, 2011 the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy held a joint press conference with County Executive Chris Collins to announce Operation Red Carpet. Operation Red Carpet is the large-scale planting project that will result in over 1,000 chrysanthemums in high-profile gardens throughout the Olmsted Parks system. This massive planting project is meant to "roll out the red carpet” for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference and the board meeting for the National Association of Olmsted Parks (NAOP) coming to Buffalo in October. Both County Executive Chris Collins and  president and CEO of the Conservancy Thomas Herrera-Mishler participated in the first planting of the red mums today. To participate in the planting of the "red carpet" on October 8, 2011 please contact Steven Nagowski at volunteer@bfloparks.com or call at (716) 838-1249 ext. 15.

Fall Clean-Up of Hoyt Lake (9.24.11)

This past Saturday, September 24th, over 60 volunteers from the Western New York community helped to clean up Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park.  The clean-up was organized through Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper and captained by employees of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.  Volunteers from Canisius College, Villa Maria College, and the general public showed their civic pride by beautifying one of Buffalo's marquee water features.  Below are just a few of the photos from the clean-up.  For more about the Buffalo Olmsted Parks please visit our website (www.bfloparks.org) or our facebook page (www.facebook.com/bfloparks).  For more on the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper please visit their website, www.bnriverkeeper.org.