WESTERN NEW YORK NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES WILL RECEIVE NEARLY $2 MILLION TO SUPPORT 11 WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION PROJECTS.
The funds come through the Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund, which receives $2 million each year as part of a 2007 settlement related to the New York Power Authority’s 50-year license for the Niagara Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Officials say the awards benefit communities along the Niagara River that further the Greenway concept between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Recipients were selected from 16 applications received, the largest number since funding began in 2008. About $18 million has been awarded in all.
The greatest share of this year’s funding went to Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, which received $557,980 for shoreline and trails rehabilitation at Cazenovia Park; and $50,000 for the next phase of restoration of the Scajaquada Trail through Delaware Park’s Rumsey Woods.
Maureen Hanagan, director of marketing and communications at the conservancy, said the Cazenovia Park renovations and new bathrooms will help emphasize the park as a major piece within the Niagara River Greenway focus area. She also pointed to the Rumsey Woods restoration, which will extend the Scajaquada Trail and formally connect the existing trail to water-based recreation in Delaware Park as well as cultural events like Shakespeare in the Park.
“This phase of the Scajaquada Trail is an important step in building towards the extension of the trail to Forest Lawn Cemetery and the east side of Buffalo,” she said.
Here’s a list of other projects funded this year:
- Buffalo Lighthouse Association Inc., $50,000 for an entrance lighting; and $115,390 for enhancement of Lighthouse Point and a bike path at the Outer Harbor
- Buffalo Museum of Science, $150,000 for visitor center improvements at Tifft Nature Preserve
- Cazenovia Community Resource Center, $120,000 for the next phase of work on the Cazenovia Community Boating Center
- City of Buffalo, $40,000 for a shoreline trail connector at Jesse Kregal Park; and $65,000 for design work of for waterfront access at LaSalle Park
- City of Tonawanda, $425,000 for an intermodal transit hub
- County of Erie, $275,000 for improvements at Black Rock Canal Park
- Valley Community Association, $100,000 for signage and cameras at the wharf and shelter at Buffalo River Fest Park
Tracey Drury covers health/medical, nonprofits and insurance
