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.

Requests for Art Proposals for the Scajaquada Tail/Jesse Kregal Pathway Mural Project

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is accepting proposals from artists for a mural to be painted on the 10’ x 210’ retaining wall behind McKinley High School (1500 Elmwood Ave) as part of a project to enhance the Scajaquada Trail/Jesse Kregal Pathway.  The selected artist will oversee and lead the creation of the mural with McKinley High School students, interns, and volunteers.  They will work with the Conservancy’s landscape architects to prepare a landscape and lighting plan to compliment the design. 

Who:  Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Niagara River Greenway Commission, Buffalo Public Schools

When:  Proposals due November 19, 2010 4:00pm

Where:  Submit proposals to the Parkside Lodge, 84 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214

What: Requests for proposals for the creation of a new work of public art to be affixed permanently to the 10’ x 210’ retaining wall behind McKinley High School.  Artists must provide a drawing or other rendering, to scale, that clearly depicts the image proposed for the wall and a 500 word or more description of the work.  Other requirements include: a timeline with major benchmarks identified by date, student/community volunteer participation plan, detailed budget for materials & labor (total budget is $25,000 including artists fees), resume for lead artists & any major collaborators, and examples of similar previous public work & references.  Considerations include

·         Horticultural concept for the setting of the mural is not required but strongly encouraged

·        Recommendations and solutions for graffiti prevention, including potential materials and techniques, are welcome

·        Proposals may dictate the extent of removal of overgrowth at the base of the wall (brush, grass, vines, trees) as well as any landscape improvement suggestions

All submissions must be received at the Parkside Lodge, 84 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214 no later than 4pm on 11/19/10. For further information contact Tom Mead, Associate Landscape Architect with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy at tmead@bfloparks.org or 716-609-0449.