FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Historic refurbishments at Marcy Casino, Shakespeare In Delaware Park and The Terrace at Delaware Park
(BUFFALO, N.Y.) – The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy has restored the historic landscape between the Marcy Casino and its prized Rose Garden. As a result handicap parking has been relocated, and former vehicle access in or through the park has been removed and replaced with the historically aligned pedestrian and bike pathways.
“We are proud of this beautiful restoration, and as your Olmsted parks are on the national register of historic places, we ask that the public be patient and respectful of our hard work to keep them preserved,” stated Stephanie Crockatt, executive director for the Conservancy. “We encourage patrons to utilize the Albright Knox’s Elmwood parking lot which is now open after hours at a reduced rate, and if you can walk or bike – or even Uber/Lyft – to please consider those options first during this busy 2017 park season.”
Four handicap public parking spaces have been relocated closer to Lincoln Parkway just inside the park boundaries. From there, new pathways lead up to the casino, the Terrace restaurant, Rose Garden and Shakespeare Hill. New bike racks are being installed near the Marcy Casino. Vehicular access is restricted and cars are not allowed inside the park, except for approved deliveries or service. The City’s parking enforcement division will be increasing patrols and tickets for violations of vehicles in the park, or those illegally parked or blocking driveways along Lincoln Parkway, Rumsey Road and Windsor.
“Shakespeare In Delaware Park is pleased to be working in collaboration with the Olmsted Conservancy and the new Terrace restaurant in keeping the park beautiful and accessible to all. Ensuring our loyal audience members that they will have access to the same magical theatrical experience they have grown accustom to in our 42 seasons of FREE Shakespeare performances is our goal,” said Lisa Ludwig, SDP managing director.
To help those with mobility issues during this access transition, the Conservancy has generously provided a golf cart to the Marcy Casino for wedding and event assistance, and another to Shakespeare during their performance season. Mobility assistance shuttling will be offered via the golf carts along the pathways and entrances at Lincoln Parkway and at Windsor/Rumsey. Shuttles will run in cycles based on event demand, and will be operated by Marcy or Shakespeare staff.
Reserved parking along Lincoln Parkway near the Marcy Casino is only allowed via an approved valet or parking service during weddings and large special events. Reserved parking is not for restaurant patrons, however two spots may be afforded during Shakespeare season for their staff and actor support if/as needed.
“The Terrace has been an amazing success in the three months we have been open,” said Jason Davidson, managing partner. “Our Marcy Events group is going strong as well with weddings and corporate events nearly every night and weekend.”
“We understand there is increased popularity in Delaware Park overall this year with regional attention to Albright Knox, Hotel Henry at the Richardson-Olmsted complex and even Darwin Martin House, so we’ll have more visitors this season. That is why we encourage patrons to use other modes of transportation, and are offering $3 off parking from the Albright Knox’s Elmwood lot when you dine this summer at the Terrace.”
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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. 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
