WNED-TV and President and CEO Donald K. Boswell to Receive Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s 2015 Frederick Law Olmsted Award
“A park is a work of art” Gala to Take Place This Evening, in Riverside Park
BUFFALO, NY – WNED-TV and Donald K. Boswell, president and CEO, of Western New York Public Broadcasting, have been selected to receive the 2015 Frederick Law Olmsted Award of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. The award will be presented during the organization’s 13th annual gala in Riverside Park this evening.
The award honors the achievements of Boswell and WNED-TV in raising awareness and appreciation of Olmsted who, as America’s first and foremost landscape architect, designed landmark urban parks all across the country. Buffalo’s Olmsted Park System was his first vision for a complete collection of parks whose connecting parkways and circles would make this “a city within a park.”
In June 2014, PBS stations across the country premiered the documentary Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America, a co-production of WNED-TV Buffalo-Toronto and Florentine Films/Hott Productions Inc. The station also produced a regional version titled Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing Western New York. The programs were part of a comprehensive project that included a resource brochure, scholarly articles, education materials and a series of bonus videos – all available on a website, also produced by WNED.
“A park is a work of art” – quoting Olmsted’s philosophy – is the theme for this year’s event, whose co-chairs are Joanne M. Campagna and Barbara A. Campagna. The evening features cocktails and dinner catered by Global Spectrum, live and silent auctions, music by Mark Mazur and the Little Big Band, and the Olmsted Heroes Pavilion. Highlights of the setting include the park’s recently restored river rock gardens and stone footbridge, and sunset over the Niagara River. Bank of America Merrill Lynch is the title sponsor.
Don Boswell came to Buffalo/Toronto in 1998. His long commitment to community service includes membership on the boards of PBS, the American Legacy Foundation, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, AAA of Western and Central New York, Visit Buffalo Niagara, University at Buffalo Foundation, HealthNow NY and New Era Cap. In Canada, Don is a member of the board of the Red Sky Theatre and the international advisory board of the Art Gallery of Ontario.
During a public broadcasting career of nearly 45 years, the Pittsburgh native has received five national program Emmy awards and many PBS professional awards. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Pennsylvania State University and a management development certificate from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. He and his wife, the former Marilyn Oliver, have a daughter, Coral.
“When considering the outreach efforts and positive impacts Don and WNED-TV have made for the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy on a local, regional and national level, their selection by our Board was the obvious choice to make,” said Stephanie Crockatt, executive director. “Their documentaries have helped our historic park system gain stature in the world’s cultural landscapes, and create greater appreciation here at home. The Conservancy will always be grateful.”
At this year’s gala, guest auctioneer Steve Phillips will auction off signature items; all great ways to support our Olmsted Parks. The live auction will offer great trips, artwork and sports packages, but will also go beyond in featuring items that anyone at the Olmsted Gala, as well as any friends of the Olmsted Parks, can support. To view the auction items before the Gala, or to purchase certain items before Friday, visit bfloparks.org and review the ‘Buy it Now’ items.
Previous recipients of the Frederick Law Olmsted Award are:
2003 Gretchen & Tom Toles
2004 Judith Fisher
2005 Bernadette Castro
2006 Joan Bozer
2007 Corinne & Victor Rice
2008 Mary Ann & Robert Kresse
2009 Jerry Castiglia
2010 Founders of the Buffalo Friends of the Olmsted Parks
2011 Richard Griffin
2012 David Colligan
2013 BlueCross BlueShield of WNY
2014 Robert Shibley and Lynda Schneekloth
More than two million people visit the six signature Frederick Law Olmsted parks every year. Part of what makes the parks special are the manicured and natural landscapes with trees, shrubs and flowers. All Conservancy funding is through a unique public and private partnership with the City of Buffalo as well as grants, memberships, donations and fundraising events such as the Olmsted Gala.
The Conservancy encourages individuals to support the entire park system, 850 acres, by going online and make a tax deductible gift at any level – including the gift of joining Olmsted as a member of our Conservancy, which starts at $35 per year. Visit bfloparksapp.wpengine.com or call 716-838-1249.
About Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy:
Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks are among the most referenced regional asset by local, national, and international publications and organizations including The Trust for Public Land and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 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, South Park at McKinley Parkway.
Seven Parkways
Bidwell, Chapin, Lincoln, McKinley, Porter, Red Jacket, and Richmond.
Eight Landscaped Circles
Agassiz, Colonial, Ferry, Gates, McClellan, Soldiers, and Symphony.
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