FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Erie County, City of Buffalo, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Unveil Inclusive Playground at Delaware Park. With funding provided by the City of Buffalo and Erie County, this new playground will provide park users with an enhanced play space that is accessible to children of all ages
City of Buffalo Contact: Mike Read | mread@buffalony.gov
BOPC Contact: Catie Stephenson | Catie@bfloparks.org | 202-355-4843
Buffalo, N.Y. –Erie County, the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy have announced the official opening of the Delaware Park playground at Colvin Avenue and Amherst Street.
This significant project, made possible by a collaborative investment of $507,000 from the City of Buffalo and Erie County, aims to enhance recreational opportunities for all families in our community. The new playground will provide a safe and enjoyable play space for children of all ages and abilities.
“Safe, accessible, and well-maintained parks are essential to our residents’ quality of life,” said City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon. “With this investment, the new inclusive playground at Delaware Park opens to children of all ages and abilities, creating a welcoming space where every child can play freely and without limitations. As both mayor and a dad, I’m thrilled to see this collaboration bringing spaces like this to life, and I look forward to creating even more for our community.”
“After years of planning and community input, I am thrilled that the new playground is open!”, said Councilmember Joel Feroleto. “The collaboration with the City, County and Olmsted Conservancy will benefit this community for years to come!”
“Inclusive playgrounds allow people of all ages and abilities to interact and have fun together, enjoying time at the park with family and friends,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “I thank the legislature for approving this investment as this will be very popular with neighborhood families, day care centers and schools and is sure to bring lots of smiles to young faces.”
“Inclusive playgrounds provide wonderful, interactive spaces for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy while they socialize and have fun with others. These playgrounds are hugely popular at our Erie County parks and having one here at Delaware Park will certainly bring more families here to enjoy this great natural space,” said Deputy Erie County Executive Lisa M. Chimera. “This project is the product of a strong collaboration between the City of Buffalo, Erie County and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy for the benefit of all residents and it shows what can happen when partners work together.”
“On behalf of Erie County, I’m thrilled to support the new inclusive playground at Olmsted’s Delaware Park”, said Erie County Legislator Mike Kooshoian. “This will become a space where all children, regardless of ability, can play, explore, and connect. By investing in inclusive spaces like this, we’re fostering a stronger, more connected community for generations to come. I’m grateful to the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy for their hard work and dedication to this valuable project.”
“Inclusive play spaces in parks ensure that children of all abilities and backgrounds have a safe place to explore and play, allowing for the development of a variety of skills including physical strength, improved mental health, social skills, emotional development, and so much more,” said Catie Stephenson, Executive Director of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “We are so grateful to the City of Buffalo and Erie County for providing the funding for this project and we are proud to care for this space ensuring free access all year round.”
For media requests or for more information, please contact Mike Read with Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon’s Office at 716-245-8332 or Catie Stephenson with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy at 202-355-4843.
###
About the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is the first nonprofit organization in the nation, through a unique public-private partnership, to manage, operate and maintain an entire urban park system consisting of more than 850 acres of beautifully designed historic parks, parkways and circles. The Conservancy is an independent not-for-profit, community organization whose mission is to steward Buffalo’s historic Olmsted park system to welcome and benefit all. To accomplish this, the Conservancy collaborates with community and strategic partners, advocates for quality parks for all, and enhances the park system through beautification, maintenance, and capital projects. More than 2.5 million visits occur in Buffalo’s Olmsted Park system annually for recreation, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
The Buffalo Olmsted Park System includes: Six parks: Cazenovia, Delaware, Front, Martin Luther King, Jr., Riverside, and South Seven parkways: Bidwell, Chapin, Lincoln, McKinley, Porter, Red Jacket, and Richmond Eight landscaped traffic circles: Agassiz, Colonial, Ferry, Gates, McClellan, McKinley, Soldiers, and Symphony Smaller spaces: Days, Heacock and Prospect
