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

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.

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.

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.

Riverkeeper Clean-Up this Saturday (9.24.11)

Scajaquada clean-up this Saturday !!

The Scajaquada Creek Autumn Sweep is on Saturday September 24th, held once again by the Grant Amherst Business Association and Scajaquada Canoe Club in conjunction with Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. The clean-up meets at the American Legion on Amherst Street at 9AM. All are welcome to help support the cleaning up and redevelopment of Scajaquada Creek.



There will be graffiti removed from on the newly refurbished concrete highway piers, and shopping carts by West Avenue removed from in the water.  Augustina Droze's Olmsted  mural decorating the McKinley High School wall seems to have obviated the need for graffiti removal there.  Alas, the stopped up debris in front of the Historical Society on Nottingham Parkway still is creating a cesspool west of the S dam, and poor Scajaquada Creek continues to serve as our suburbs’ sewer. 

We are a long way from a fishable, swimmable, drinkable Scajacuada Creek but with your help we can have a cleaner shore, free public access and open recreation for paddling, peddling, and hiking.

Pollution and inattentiveness aside, the signs of life in the Creek are encouraging, and it is truly an eye-opening  waterfront experience to help along the Scajaquada Trail.  Please check it out in person and join in on the clean-up this Saturday.   Special guest Mark Grisanti will be present to address the picnic crowd after the clean-up at 12:30 at the Legion.  To sign up call Riverkeeper at 716-852-7483.

Thursday 7.14.11 Megan Callahan & Friends and the Albrights

As part of the Conservancy's Summer Breeze by the Lake FREE concert series, artists Megan Callahan, and The Albrights will be performing on Thursday, July 14, at Delaware Park Rose Garden Pergola (199 Lincoln Parkway), from 5:00-9:00PM. You won't want to miss out on this eclectic experience!

Megan Callahan, originally from New Jersey, has a very broad background that contributes strongly to her unique musical style.  She formerly perfomed in the duo Voxangelica, but has since worked as a solo performer, putting out her first full length album "Since the Fire" in Buffalo, NY.  She lists Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Led Zeppelin, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Ani DiFranco, Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, and Pete Seeger as her influences, also commenting that the other music she enjoys would form an endlessly long list.

You can learn more about Megan, as well as view photos and more, at her website: http://www.megancallahan.com, or on her Twitter page. She's also made several videos available for your enjoyment on her YouTube Channel.


From her website:
“Arts education and access to music and the arts early in life literally helped me through some of the roughest times of adolescence. This is a vital outlet for young and old people alike.” Megan says. She is committed to people not only having access to their inner artist, but the means to voice it as well. For this reason, she strives to raise awareness about the importance of living wages for artists, creating safe space for artistic expression on a community level, and the philanthropic opportunity that exists in combining live performance with raising funds for charities and socially conscious organizations."

---

The Albrights, composed of Joseph Donohue III, Brandon Barry, Matthew Crane, Aaron Odden, are a Buffalo based rock band with an ecclectic blend of early American Rock, Blues and Motown packaged together through stellar musicianship and a genuine approach to music.  They are presently on the indie label Buzz Records, producing music not unlike that of The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Killers, and Moby Grape.

To learn more about the Albrights, check out their Myspace Page or Facebook Page.


Summer Breeze by the Lake is a 9-week all-ages concert series that features a variety of musical acts performing at the top of Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park every Thursday from June 16th, 2011 through August 11th, 2011.  Proceeds from the series benefit the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

For more info call 716-838-1249 ext 23

Augustina Droze presents at Burchfield Penney Art Center

Augustina Droze, a visiting mural artist from Los Angeles, will give a presentation of her work and discuss the wall mural underway next to McKinley High School, 1500 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo.  This event will be hosted by Philip Ogle, professor and chair of the Fine Arts Department at Buffalo State College, and Kathy Shiroki, Curator of Museum Learning and Community Engagement at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.  Ogle is currently teaching a public art/mural painting class whose students are assisting Droze with the mural.

Droze's presentation will be held on Wednesday, July 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the conference room at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.  All are welcome to attend.  For further information, please contact the Fine Arts Department at 878-6014.

Golf Summer Camps Available at Buffalo Olmsted Parks' Golf Courses

Steve Harber- United States Golf Teachers Federation Certified Teaching Professional

Steve Harber has 15+ years teaching experience working in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.  He offers a relaxing yet very effective approach to golf instruction.  Mr. Harber's specialty is group instruction although he has extensive experience teaching private lessons.

Steve will be involved with the Buffalo Olmsted Park's summer golf camps for kids and golf clinics which will rotate between Delaware park, South Park& Cazenovia Park golf courses.  Check with the individual golf houses for more information.

Steve can be reached at 716-207-1630 for any questions on the summer camps.

2011 Buffalo Olmsted Park's Junior Golf Camps & Clinics
Golf Camps scheduled for July & August, 2011

Where: Delaware Park & South Park Golf Courses
When: Starting July 5th through August 4th- 5 one hour sessions
Eligibility: 3 age groups available 2010, **5-7, 8-12, and 13-17.

There will be two group sizes for the 2011 season- 4 & 8 golfers per group
**5-7 ages will only be 4 per class due to safety reasons

Instructor: Steve Harber-United States Golf Teachers Federation Certified Golf Teaching Professional (15+ years experience)

DELAWARE PARK CAMPS
Tuesdays July 5, 12, 19, 26, & August 2- ages 5-7 (9:00am-10:00am)
ages 8-12 (10:15am-11:15) & (11:30am-12:30pm)

Wednesdays July 6, 13, 20, 27, & August 3- ages (9:00am-10:00am)ages 8-12 (10:15am-11:15am) ages 13-17 (12:30pm-1:30pm)

Thursdays July 7, 14, 21, 28, & August 4- ages 5-7 (9:00am-10:00am) ages 8-12 (10:15am-11:15am) ages 13-17 (12:30pm-1:30pm)

SOUTH PARK CAMPS
Tuesdays July 5, 12, 19, 26, & August 2- ages 5-7 (1:30-2:30pm) ages 8-12 (2:45pm-3:45pm)

Thursdays July 7, 14, 21, & August 4 ages 13-17 (2:15pm-3:15pm)

Camp Rates: $40.00 per golfer for 8 student groups
$50.00 per golfer for 4 student groups

All camp golfers must provide their own set of clubs

Sign-up registration for the camps is on a first come basis until the camp is full.
Send completed registration form and check payable to "Buffalo Olmsted Parks Golf"

Attn: Dave Hoover  

84 Parkside Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14214.

************************************************************************

Name:___________________________________________________________________

Street Address:____________________________________________________________

City:____________________State:____________________ Zip:_______________

Phone:____________________________________________________________

Email:________________________________________________________________

Boy:_____________________ Girl:___________________ Age:___________________

First Choice Camp:___________________________________________________________

Second Choice Camp:_________________________________________________________

8 Student Class $40.00______________________________________________________

or 4 student Class (ages 5-7) $50.00______________________________________________

Note: If you are registering more than one camper, make another copy and complete.
If you have any questions about the golf camps, call Dave Hoover at 716-838-1249 ext 19.

LABATT USA TO COVER VANDALISM COSTS FOR DELAWARE PARK

LABATT USA TO COVER VANDALISM COSTS FOR DELAWARE PARK

Generous community response gives the parks a lift

Buffalo, New York – Imagine if someone took a spray can to one of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. That’s essentially what happened in Delaware Park earlier this week when vandals, attempted to ruin one of the most cherished treasures in the region. About 100 teenagers and young adults created thousands of dollars in damages, leaving the park in disrepair just before its busiest season.

According to Thomas Herrera-Mishler, CEO of Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the damage to the parks quieted his otherwise hard-working and enthusiastic staff. “We were all very discouraged,” said Herrera-Mishler. “We get a lot done on a very tight budget and to have someone maliciously vandalize it – was shocking and sad.”

But a quick and compassionate response from numerous small donors, HSBC Bank and Labatt USA provided a boost to morale. Within hours of news reports at local media outlets, donations began pouring in $10 at a time.

Then came the phone call from Labatt USA.  “They asked how much it would take to repair the damage in Delaware Park. We gave them the total and an hour later they offered to cover the cost in full,” said Herrera-Mishler. “The most effective way to counteract the vandals is to remove the graffiti, fix the playground and repair the fountain. To do it quickly and with the help of our community, only diminishes the vandals’ negative impact on us.”

Donations will go toward quickly restoring the damage and to implement additional security measures to help prevent future attacks.  Specialized and expensive formulas are required to remove and prevent graffiti on the parks’ historic buildings and these donations will allow the Conservancy to move fast to restore the Marcy Casino and Delaware Park Rose Gardens before this coming weekend’s weddings.

 “Without the money in-hand, we wouldn’t be able to immediately make the repairs,” said Herrera-Mishler. “There will be many brides and grooms toasting Labatt for their generosity.”

Additional vandalism occurred at Day’s Park, Cazenovia Park and Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. If you would like to make a one-time $10 donation, please text the word “parks” to 20222 on cell phones* or visit Olmsted’s website at www.bfloparks.org

About Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is a not-for-profit, independent, community

organization that promotes, preserves, restores, enhances, and ensures maintenance of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks and parkways in the Greater Buffalo area now and for future generations. In 2008, the Conservancy released its Plan for the 21st

Century, a blueprint for the management and restoration of the entire park system.

Listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places, the Olmsted system in

Buffalo is the first of its kind in the nation designed by America’s greatest landscape

architect. The major Olmsted Parks in Buffalo are Cazenovia, Delaware, Front, Martin

Luther King, Jr., Riverside and South Parks. 

Visit www.BFLOParks.org for more details.

* Your phone bill will show a $10 charge or will be deducted from your prepaid account. Standard message or data rates may apply.  Privacy policy.

SEVERE VANDALISM IN DELAWARE PARK!

On Saturday night, May 21^st, the southern half of Delaware Park in the City of Buffalo sustained significant damage due to vandalism.  The Marcy Casino building (199 Lincoln Pkwy) was the victim of graffiti on several of its columns and walls as well as the elevator for the handicapped.    The Ivy Bridge in Rumsey Woods was spray painted.  The decorative top of the ornamental fountain in the Rose Garden was snapped off.  The slide at the children’s playground was maliciously destroyed by caving in its base and the top being tied up with rope.  Earlier in the evening more than 100 teenagers and young adults were witnessed congregating around the Marcy Casino.  The president and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Thomas Herrera-Mishler, held a press conference today at 2:00 pm at the Marcy Casino to address this recent rash of vandalism.  Council Members LoCurto, Rivera, and Police Chief Barba were in attendance for the press conference.  Below are a few photos of the damage.

It is up to the community who patronizes the park to see that the Japanese Gardens are maintained as a kid-friendly place free from crime and destruction.  Those with information regarding the vandalism are asked to contact the Buffalo City Police tip line, (716)847-2255, and or the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, (716)838-1249.

Birding Walk in Riverside Park 5.28.11

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Buffalo Audubon Society, and Medaille College announce a FREE introductory bird watching walk to the public at Riverside Park on Saturday, May 28^th, 2011.  Bird watching (oftentimes referred to as birding) is the observation and study of birds through looking at (telescopes and binoculars) and listening for bird songs and calls.  This introductory bird watching walk at Riverside Park will help the general public learn about the birds of Buffalo and the Niagara River and gain an introduction to binoculars, guide books, and field marks.

Buffalo Audubon naturalists and volunteers will be on hand to help first-time birders join the fastest growing recreational pastime in the United States.  Those who are interested in attending are asked to meet in the parking lot on Hotaling Drive in Riverside Park (enter across from Roesch Avenue) at 10am Saturday, May 28^th.

This free introductory walk is the beginning of a partnership between the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Buffalo Audubon Society, and Medaille College, for the purpose of building community involvement and training students on how to teach environmental education.  The walk is free, but participants are asked to pre-register by calling Sal Sciandra at 716-838-1249 x33 or sal@bfloparks.org

Who: Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Audubon Society, and Medaille College

When: Saturday, May 9^th, 2011

Time: 10:00am-Noon

What: A FREE introductory birding walk at Riverside Park.  Those who attend will receive training in how to use bird watching equipment, identify common bird species and more.

Contact: Sal Sciandra 716-838-1249 ext 33 or sal@bfloparks.org

Golf Courses will open this Saturday, April 30th

After a long Buffalo winter and rainy April, Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks are anxiously awaiting the beginning of the 2011 Golf Season.  This Saturday, April 30^th at 7:00am, all three Olmsted Golf Courses (Cazenovia, Delaware, and South Park) will officially open to the public. Both Cazenovia & South Park courses are 9-hole courses, while Delaware is an 18-hole course.  Prices range depending on city residency, senior & youth status, and weekday versus weekend play.  Golf Passes are currently available for purchase at the Olmsted golf houses as well as online at the conservancy website. To obtain a season pass golfers must bring proper identification (valid driver’s license), a head-shot photograph no larger than 1” x 1”, and payment in the form of cash, check or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).  For a detailed pricing structure please visit www.bfloparks.org.

Delaware Park Golf Course

South Park Golf Course

Cazenovia Park Golf Course

Community Watch: Riverside Park Vandalized!

     Earlier last week, Riverside Park sustained a significant amount of criminal damage. Vandals destroyed the stone work on a park entrance sign on Crowley Avenue along with a stone park bench. Recently planted trees were also torn out of the ground and a Port-a-potty was also flipped over and broken. Several bleachers were damaged and flipped over along with a large sign used by the football league. The vandals also left graffiti all across the park. Anyone with information regarding the vandalism of the park is asked to contact the police.

     Riverside Park is a shared asset that benefits the Riverside community and the City of Buffalo at large. The park is a popular place for sports and recreation in the area. In recent years the Conservancy has enhanced the football field with a grant from the National Football League and the Buffalo Bills. It is up to the community who patronizes and benefit from the park to see that Riverside is maintained as a kid-friendly place free from crime and destruction. Those with information regarding the vandalism are asked to contact the Buffalo City Police tip line, (716)847-2255, and or the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, (716)838-1249.