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.

Pepsi Refresh

A freak snow storm in October of 2006 destroyed 90% of the trees in the historic Buffalo Olmsted Parks System. At its zenith, the parks boasted 40,000 spectacular trees. Sadly now, we are down to 14,000. Since that devastating storm, wonderful volunteers throughout Buffalo have replanted 3,000 of the park's missing trees, but there is still a long way to go. This impoverished city, the 3rd poorest in the nation, needs some help to purchase the trees and equipment needed to continue to reforest our historic parks. Our goal is to keep planting 1000 trees this year, to continue to replace all of the lost trees in the system. Re-Leafing the Buffalo Olmsted Parks system, over 1200 acres of green infrastructure through parks, parkways and traffic circles, will improve our diverse neighborhoods throughout the city, create green jobs, beautify the community, and improve the overall quality of life in the city of Buffalo, and ultimatley, for the planet.



Please take the time to vote for the Buffalo Olmsted Parks in the Pepsi Refresh Contest.  We are in the running to win $50,000 to plant 1,000 new trees in the Olmsted Parks!