FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Outdated Equipment to Receive Much Needed Upgrade
(BUFFALO, NY) – The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the first nonprofit organization in the nation to manage and operate an entire urban park system, today announced that it will receive a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The much needed grant will be used to purchase equipment based on the Conservancy’s prioritized equipment replacement plan, and through its award, leverage additional gifts for equipment.
“In 2010 when the City of Buffalo and the Conservancy embarked on its public-private partnership agreement, park maintenance equipment was provided solely in that initial year. Unfortunately there was no mechanism in place for equipment reinvestment or tool replacement,” stated Stephanie Crockatt, Executive Director, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “Olmsted parks serve as community gathering space and respite for the entire population of Buffalo and the Western New York region year-round, thus maintenance equipment is an expensive essential.”
In meeting the Conservancy’s equipment needs, this grant is also designed for challenge funds to assist with other critical equipment purchases, especially as the Conservancy nears 2018 when it will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Olmsted in Buffalo. For more information on how you can get involved in this effort please contact Jessica Juliano, Development Officer, at Jessica@bfloparks.org or (716) 838-1249, ext. 22.
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The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is the first nonprofit organization in the nation to manage and operate an entire urban park system that consists of 850 acres of beautifully designed historic parks, parkways and circles. The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is a not-for-profit, membership-based, community organization whose mission is to promote, preserve, restore, enhance, and maintain the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks and parkways in the Greater Buffalo area for current and future generations. More than 2.5 million people use Buffalo’s historic, award-winning Olmsted Park system annually for recreation, relaxation and rejuvenation. The parks were designed by America’s first landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted more than 148 years ago. Basic maintenance of the parks has been greatly improved since the 2004 groundbreaking public-private agreement with the City of Buffalo and Erie County. Since that time, the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, now partnering with the City of Buffalo, has retained full responsibility for the management and care of these green spaces which are listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Most recently, the American Planning Association recognized Delaware Park as one of the 2014 Great Places in America and The Guardian named the Olmsted park system as one of the best park systems in the world. bfloparksapp.wpengine.com
The Buffalo Olmsted Park System includes:
Six parks: Cazenovia Park in South Buffalo, Delaware Park in Delaware/Parkside District, Front Park at the Peace Bridge, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at Fillmore Avenue, Riverside Park at Niagara and Tonawanda Street, and South Park at McKinley Parkway
Seven parkways: Bidwell, Chapin, Lincoln, McKinley, Porter, Red Jacket, and Richmond
Eight landscaped traffic circles: Agassiz, Colonial, Ferry, Gates, McClellan, McKinley, Soldiers, and Symphony
About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, a 501 (C) (3) organization, was established in 1919 to enhance and encourage long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. The Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. For over 95 years, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to its care. www.cfgb.org
