FORESTRY PROGRAMS TO RECEIVE MUCH NEEDED BOOST
BUFFALO, NY – Officials from Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy were joined today by Mayor Byron W. Brown, Lou Jacobs, Delaware North Co-CEO, and Kevin Kelly, Delaware North President, Travel Hospitality Services and Chairman of the Board, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, to announce that Delaware North has agreed to a multi-year commitment of increased corporate support to the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. This leadership gift will be a $100,000 annual contribution beginning this year through 2019.
Download a PDF of the press release here.
“This transformational gift will support vital Olmsted forestry efforts which have gained in national attention and need, particularly with the invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer and its decimation of Buffalo’s urban forests, park canopy and streetscapes,” stated Stephanie Crockatt, Executive Director, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “Delaware North’s generous support comes at a critical time for the Conservancy’s forestry department, which only receives operational support through its direct fundraising efforts.”
Though the Conservancy has been engaging City of Buffalo youth in the parks for many years, Delaware North’s support encourages a continued focus on increasing the utilization and education of youth through the Buffalo Employment and Training Center, and activating the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program, to assist with basic urban forestry efforts.
“The generosity of Delaware North is wonderful news for the historic Olmsted Park system as the Conservancy continues to manage of one of Buffalo’s greatest assets. I’m also pleased that these funds will enable the Conservancy to hire more of our young people through my Summer Youth Program to assist with forestry efforts, while learning valuable skills,” Mayor Brown said.
In alignment with Delaware North’s commitment to supporting philanthropic efforts throughout the Buffalo community, the intent of their gift will additionally provide for youth and community education on topics such as sustainability, horticulture, landscape architecture, and emerging environmental science issues through the annual Olmsted Lecture, which occurs each April during the timeframe of Earth Day and Arbor Day.
“Olmsted’s parks are integral to the unique character of Buffalo. Delaware North is thrilled to support the efforts of Mayor Brown and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy to preserve these green spaces for future generations,” said Jacobs.
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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. 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.
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
