The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy will receive the largest portion of funds from a nearly $2 million distribution for numerous green-minded projects.
The Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund is providing more than $600,000 to the Conservancy for a pair of projects. One is to renovate and upgrade facilities at Cazenovia Park. Work is expected to begin later this year to update restrooms so that they may comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Additionally, $50,000 will be used to continue an ongoing restoration project in Rumsey Woods at Delaware Park. The goal is to ultimately extend the Scajaquada Trail to Forest Lawn Cemetery.
"It's stabilizing the trails that run through Rumsey, basically from the Marcy Casino up through the Rose Garden and over to the other shelter building that some day, in the future, we hope to restore in Rumsey Woods," said Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy executive director Stephanie Crockett.
Three governments and five not-for-profits are also receiving funds from the Greenway Fund, which annually distributes money from the New York Power Authority's 2007 Niagara Power Project licensing settlement. Receiving funds are:
City of Buffalo - $105,000 to be split between a shoreline trail connector at Jesse Kregal Pathway and design work for LaSalle Park waterfront access.
City of Tonawanda - $425,000 to build an intermodal transit hub.
Erie County - $275,000 for various improvements at Black Rock Canal Park.
Buffalo Lighthouse Association - more than $160,000 to be split among a bike path along the Outer Harbor, improvements at Lighthouse Point and improved lighting.
Buffalo Museum of Science - $150,000 for renovations to the visitor center at Tifft Nature Preserve.
Cazenovia Community Resource Center - $120,000 for a continuing project at the Cazenovia Community Boating Center.
Valley Community Association - $100,000 to install cameras and signs at Buffalo River Fest Park.