FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 100th birthday of the late Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. is commemorated with a paver at historic Hoyt Lake
Download a PDF of the press release here.
(Buffalo, NY) – The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy joined today by the Siegel family, unveiled and presented a commemorative paver to Mrs. Mary Wilson in honor of her late husband Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., who would have been 100 years old this month. The Landing which officially opened this June, was conceived by Herb Siegel, a well-respected local attorney, philanthropist and founder of the Herb and Aaron Siegel Foundation. Herb’s support of the Western New York community and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy has spanned decades.
“As we neared the second installation, my Father and I thought about who epitomized the legacy we hope the Siegel Landing will leave on Buffalo, and Ralph Wilson immediately came to mind. It is only fitting that Mr. Wilson is honored today in this special place where Buffalonians come to celebrate special times in their lives and pay tribute to loved ones, friends and family,” stated Aaron Siegel of the Herb & Aaron Siegel Foundation. “We are especially honored that Mrs. Wilson was able to be here with us today for the unveiling. On behalf of my family and my fellow Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Board Members, we thank you.”
From left to right: Mary Wilson, Aaron Siegel, Stephanie Crockatt
The restorative landscape project at Hoyt Lake is a testament of the philanthropic legacy of Herb Siegel, which includes an endowment for ongoing maintenance. The Siegel’s gift demonstrates the exact kind of fundraising support the Conservancy needs for park projects.
“Looking out onto Hoyt Lake today I can’t help but think about how much Ralph would have loved being here. I know he would absolutely love to sit on these benches, enjoying one of Buffalo’s iconic sites,” stated Mary Wilson. “I would like to thank the Siegel family for honoring Ralph with this paver noting his commitment to Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy for their efforts on this beautiful day.”
The paver dedicated to the late Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
The significance of the Siegel Landing marks the historic bandstand and boat launch for Gala Water, making the restoration of the Siegel Landing a positive step in preserving Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks. Located at the western shore of Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park, pavers are available for purchase and personal inscription. A third installation is scheduled for June 2019.
From left to right: Stephanie Crockatt, Mary Wilson
“The Olmsted Park System is honored today as we gather together to unveil our second installation at the Siegel Landing,” said Stephanie Crockatt, Executive Director of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “We are so fortunate to have an opportunity to recognize the amazing legacies which shape the greatness of our city, from Olmsted to Herb Siegel, and to Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., it is in these moments as we celebrate 150 years of our historic parks, where we now look to the future and the generations who will benefit from these legacy landscapes.”
Full details on The Siegel Landing can be found at bfloparks.wpengine.com/buyapaver.
Download a PDF of the press release here.
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About the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy:
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. Celebrating its 150th Anniversary in 2018, 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. bfloparks.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
