The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

SECOND ANNUAL FLURRIOUS! FESTIVAL RETURNS, SAT JAN 21, 2012!

2012-01-11T12:26:00.000-05:00

FLURRIOUS!, Western New York’s park-centered winter festival returns for its second year at Buffalo’s Delaware Park on Saturday, January 21^st, 2012! FLURRIOUS! is a FREE admission outdoor event, presented by the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy that promises to be fun-filled and action packed. The day’s events begin at 9:00am with the “Flurrious Forecast” fun run and continue until 10:00pm!

“We’re very excited to host FLURRIOUS! for a second year” said BOPC president & CEO, Thomas Herrera-Mishler. “We invite the Western New York community, of all ages, to come outside and celebrate winter and all that our parks have to offer!”

Activities this year include snow tennis, family skating (weather permitting/bring your own skates), face painting, igloo building, winter science workshop for kids, & cookie decorating, blacksmithing, as well as sleigh rides, cross country skiing, sled pull, snow golf, and much more. Spectator events include a Quidditch tournament, hockey exhibition (weather permitting), and kickball & softball tournaments.

FLURRIOUS! will feature food and beverages from Magnolia Catering, Coles Restaurant, and Rolling Joe Café. Parking for the event can be found in the Buffalo Zoo parking lot on Jewett Parkway off Parkside Avenue, the surrounding neighborhood, and around the ring road after 10:30am.

The Master of Ceremonies for FLURRIOUS! will be WGRZ Channel 2 personality, Andy Parker! Writers, Artists, Musicians (WAM) will be providing the music for the event, with a wide range of music styles. Event partners and sponsors include Wegmans, National Grid, WGRZ Channel 2, Magnolia Catering, Coles Restaurant, and the City of Buffalo.

For more information and registration information, please visit www.bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249. Schedule of events and music can be found below.

Snow Golf Tournament at Flurrious! (Jan.21, 2012)

2011-12-16T10:54:00.000-05:00

Delaware Park Meadows Golf Course

FLURRIOUS! SNOW GOLF TOURNAMENT

Saturday, January 21, 2012 10:00AM – 2:00PM

Cost: $5 per golfer - $10 per team

TO SIGN-UP, Contact Dave Hoover @ 838-1249, x19 or email: dave@bfloparks.org

Snow Golf Rules: “HAVE FUN!!”

Game Play
4 hole course
Hole distances will be 110 yards to 220 yards
Golfers will play two rounds for an 8 hole total score
Two player teams using “Best Ball” format to earn one score per hole. (Max. 8 strokes per hole)
Teams will be paired for honor scoring.

Regular Play

Only 4 clubs allowed per team. (Steel shaft recommended due to cold temperatures). If using a putter as one of your clubs, any shaft is okay. BOPC Golf will provide a selection of clubs for those who do not wish to use their own.
Color platform tennis balls (provided by BOPC Golf) will be used. If lost a $2 replacement fee must be paid for your team to continue.
Mark your own ball in an identifiable manner. Play your own ball.
Players may create/build a “Tee” (out of snow) on the tee box only.
Winter rules are in effect. You may lift, clean and place ball back down. Ball must be placed within 1 foot of original lie no closer to the hole.

Greens Play

Poles with flag identifies each green / hole.
NO Grooving or Trenching of snow to form ball channel is allowed.
Holes themselves will be 32” in diameter marked by a hula-hoop.

Ties

Final score tie-breaker will be closest to the pin shoot-out once all teams have completed the last hole.
Each team will select one player.
All selected players will hit at the same time & closest to the hole wins the tie.

All other standard PGA golfing regulations apply.

In case of any Disagreements, ALL decisions by the BOPC Golf are final.

Final Volunteer Tree Planting of the Season (December 13th, Delaware Park)

2011-12-09T11:56:00.000-05:00

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy has an unexpected late season volunteer tree planting (Over 60 trees) because of a very large Holiday tree donation from a local Nursery!

We have to get these trees in the ground as soon as possible before the weather turns really bad on us. On Tuesday December 13^th starting at 10am we will be planting within Delaware Park along the 198 Expressway. We will be meeting at the large spiral bridge at the end of Lincoln Parkway & Nottingham Terrace:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=lincoln+parkway+and+nottingham+terrace&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=Lincoln+Pkwy+%26+Nottingham+Terrace,+Buffalo,+Erie,+New+York+14216&gl=us&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0

Volunteers are asked to please bring a spade shovel, work clothes, gloves, clippers/scissors/pocket knife, heavy duty wire cutters (if you have them) and be prepared to work in the rain (or snow). You'll be meeting with Steven for sign-in and instructions. To register for this tree planting please contact volunteer@bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249 ext 15.

Tree Lighting Ceremony at MLK Park this Saturday (Dec.3rd, 2011)

2011-11-30T13:39:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, December 3rd, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes will be holding the first annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. All members of the community are invited to attend the lighting festivities. An 13 ft tall Colorado Spruce has been donated to the Conservancy by Schichtel's Nursery for the lighting. The tree is located near the statue of Dr. King in the park. In addition to the tree lighting, the event will include a performance by local choir group, "Men in White" as well as a candlelight vigil led by members of True Bethel and Walls Memorial AME Zion Church. The event begins at 3:00pm.

CSX Tree Planting at Cazenovia Park (11.5.11)

2011-11-07T14:58:00.000-05:00

From the initial announcement:

The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce a community tree-planting in the City of Buffalo’s Cazenovia Park on November 5th from 9:00am to 12:00 Noon. The planting of 30 trees is made possible by a grant from the CSX Corporation secured by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees). The donation is valued at $10,000 and will pay for the cost of the trees and their maintenance.

The event was a terrific success. The team was able to plant the trees very efficiently and quickly, replacing more of the trees lost in the October Surprise Storm 5 years ago.

We have another tree planting event coming this week, stay tuned to this blog and our Twitter feed (http://www.twitter.com/bfloparks).

Here are a few of the pictures; for the rest of them, please see the album on our Facebook page.

BOPC to host Book Launch at Marcy Casino (Saturday, October 22nd)

2011-10-18T10:56:00.000-04:00

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce the official book launch of “Olmsted in Buffalo and Niagara” by Robert Shibley, Lynda Schneekloth, and Thomas Yots. The book launch will take place Saturday, October 22, 2011 will be hosted by president and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Thomas Herrera-Mishler, at the Marcy Casino in Delaware Park (199 Lincoln Parkway). The evening runs from 6:00pm until 8:00pm and will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, conversations with the authors, and a book signing.

From BuffaloBooks.com: Olmsted in Buffalo and Niagara is the first history and guidebook written about Frederick Law Olmsted and the remarkable urban parks he designed in Western New York at the end of the last century. He imprinted his vision of the world about the power of nature to heal and enrich urban life on both Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Olmsted gave Western New York two of his most important works, the Buffalo Olmsted Park and Parkway System, and the Niagara Reservation.

Pre-registration for this event is required and admission price is $30, which includes a signed copy of the book. Attendees must contact Laura Genco in order to RSVP (laura@bfloparks.org or 716-838-1249 ext 11).

Legacy 11 Boy Scout-Invasive Plant Removal (Oct. 8th and 9th)

2011-10-14T12:13:00.000-04:00

This past weekend (October 8th and 9th) the Legacy 11 Boy Scouts came out to help remove invasive plants along the shores of Hoyt Lake, the Japanese Gardens, and Rumsey woods near the Marcy Casino. This project involved over 100 Boy Scouts removing European Buckthron, Chinese Elm, and European Grapevines which threatened to disrupt the natural environment in Olmsted Parks. In addition to the invasive plant removal, the Scouts also completed a repainting projects at the Marcy Casino. This projects were a collaborative effort with several local WNY Boy Scout Troops, Buffalo ReUse, and Buffalo Employment and Training Center. The efforts of the Scout Troops have been very well received by park visitors and will help to make a go impression for the upcoming conference.

(photos courtesy of Boy Scout Troop 37-Kenmore, NY)

For more information on Boy Scout Troop 37, Please visit their website (http://www.kenmoretroop37.com)

Cazenovia Park Community Tree-Planting

2011-10-13T11:09:00.000-04:00

The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce a community tree-planting in the City of Buffalo’s Cazenovia Park on November 5th from 9:00am to 12:00 Noon. The planting of 30 trees is made possible by a grant from the CSX Corporation secured by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees). The donation is valued at $10,000 and will pay for the cost of the trees and their maintenance. “This tree-planting comes 5 years after the October Surprise Storm which damaged about 90% of all the trees in the City of Buffalo” said Thomas Herrera-Mishler, president and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “This donation means a lot and will help to replenish Buffalo’s urban forest.” added Mayor Byron W. Brown. In addition to damaging 90% of the city’s trees, the October Surprise Storm resulted in 10% of the trees in the Olmsted Park System being lost outright. Additionally, another 5% have been extremely stressed and have shown a decline in health since.

“The Alliance for Community Trees is pleased to be able to help direct these funds to the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy for urban park tree planting. ACTrees is a national partner with CSX on its Trees for Tracks campaign, which has a goal of planting 21,000 trees--one for every mile of track in the CSX railway system” said Leland Milstein of ACTrees.

At its peak the Buffalo Olmsted Parks system (the nation’s first) boasted 42,000 trees. Currently that number is down to only 15,000, including the 3,000 that have been planted since the October Surprise Storm. Over the years, disease, over maturity, insects, and severe weather conditions have all taken their toll on the parks’ trees.

For those interested in volunteering, please contact Steven Nagowski by e-mailing volunteer@bfloparks.org or by calling (716) 835-1300 ext 15.

The Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees) is dedicated to improving the environment where 80% of Americans live-cities, towns and metropolitan areas. Together, local ACT member organizations have planted 15 million trees with help from 10.7 million volunteer hours nationwide. http://actrees.org/site/about-us/mission/ .

CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation suppliers. The company’s rail and intermodal businesses provide rail-based transportation services including traditional rail service and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers. Overall, the CSX Transportation network encompasses about 21,000 route miles of track in 23 states, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. More than two-thirds of Americans live within CSX’s service territory, accounting for about three-quarters of the nation’s consumption.

"Operation Red Carpet" Volunteer Mum Plantings

2011-10-10T11:10:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, October 8th, over 1,000 chrysanthemums were planted in gardens across the Olmsted parks system. The red mums were planted by volunteers for Operation Red Carpet. Operation Red Carpet is the name of a beautification project meant to prepare for the upcoming National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference as well as maintain the Frederick Law Olmsted designed park landscapes. In cooperation with Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the City of Buffalo, the Susan G. Komen Commemorative Grove also participated in the planting of pink mums in support of Operation Red Carpet. Mayor Byron Brown was in attendance at the Komen Grove planting. If you would like to learn more about Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, please visit our website (http://www.bfloparks.org/) or our facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BFLOparks).

Erie County Awards $50,000 to fund Operation Red Carpet

2011-10-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

County Executive Chris Collins and Parks Commissioner Jim Hornung announced that $50,000 of county support will go toward Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy's "Operation Red Carpet." This initiative is meant to prepare the parks for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference which will take place in Buffalo from October 19-October 22, 2011. The Buffalo Fund for the Arts and the Baird Foundations have also matched the funds provided, doubling the county's investment. This will allow for the Conservancy to enhance landscaping in all parks in the Olmsted system this fall. The National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference will bring over 2,500 tourists and media from across the country to Buffalo. The beautification of these parks will help Buffalo to grant a positive impression on the visitors in addition to promoting tourism.

Operation Red Carpet (October 8, 2011)

2011-10-03T12:13:00.000-04:00

Today, Monday, October 3, 2011 the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy held a joint press conference with County Executive Chris Collins to announce Operation Red Carpet. Operation Red Carpet is the large-scale planting project that will result in over 1,000 chrysanthemums in high-profile gardens throughout the Olmsted Parks system. This massive planting project is meant to "roll out the red carpet” for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference and the board meeting for the National Association of Olmsted Parks (NAOP) coming to Buffalo in October. Both County Executive Chris Collins and president and CEO of the Conservancy Thomas Herrera-Mishler participated in the first planting of the red mums today. To participate in the planting of the "red carpet" on October 8, 2011 please contact Steven Nagowski at volunteer@bfloparks.com or call at (716) 838-1249 ext. 15.

Fall Clean-Up of Hoyt Lake (9.24.11)

2011-09-26T11:02:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, September 24th, over 60 volunteers from the Western New York community helped to clean up Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park. The clean-up was organized through Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper and captained by employees of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Volunteers from Canisius College, Villa Maria College, and the general public showed their civic pride by beautifying one of Buffalo's marquee water features. Below are just a few of the photos from the clean-up. For more about the Buffalo Olmsted Parks please visit our website (www.bfloparks.org) or our facebook page (www.facebook.com/bfloparks). For more on the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper please visit their website, www.bnriverkeeper.org.

Riverkeeper Clean-Up this Saturday (9.24.11)

2011-09-20T12:12:00.000-04:00

Scajaquada clean-up this Saturday !!

The Scajaquada Creek Autumn Sweep is on Saturday September 24th, held once again by the Grant Amherst Business Association and Scajaquada Canoe Club in conjunction with Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. The clean-up meets at the American Legion on Amherst Street at 9AM. All are welcome to help support the cleaning up and redevelopment of Scajaquada Creek.

There will be graffiti removed from on the newly refurbished concrete highway piers, and shopping carts by West Avenue removed from in the water. Augustina Droze's Olmsted mural decorating the McKinley High School wall seems to have obviated the need for graffiti removal there. Alas, the stopped up debris in front of the Historical Society on Nottingham Parkway still is creating a cesspool west of the S dam, and poor Scajaquada Creek continues to serve as our suburbs’ sewer.

We are a long way from a fishable, swimmable, drinkable Scajacuada Creek but with your help we can have a cleaner shore, free public access and open recreation for paddling, peddling, and hiking.

Pollution and inattentiveness aside, the signs of life in the Creek are encouraging, and it is truly an eye-opening waterfront experience to help along the Scajaquada Trail. Please check it out in person and join in on the clean-up this Saturday. Special guest Mark Grisanti will be present to address the picnic crowd after the clean-up at 12:30 at the Legion. To sign up call Riverkeeper at 716-852-7483.

Party for the Parks - Friday 9.16.11

2011-08-29T11:07:00.003-04:00

On Friday, September 16, the BOPC will be holding the 9th annual Party for the Parks at Delaware Park's historic Marcy Casino. The theme for this year's party, is British invasion, and promises a groovy night full of the best entertainment, including live music, great food, a basket and silent auction, spectacular visual performances, and much more. On this night, Delaware Park will come alive from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. in celebration of Buffalo’s historic 1,200-acre Olmsted Parks and Parkway System.

Background: The event, which is one of the Conservancy’s key fundraisers for the sustainability and growth of the city’s iconic parks, brings awareness about the Conservancy’s mission to enhance, restore, and maintain the Buffalo Olmsted Park System. It has been voted Buffalo’s best fundraiser year after year by Buffalo Spree magazine...you won't want to miss the excitement!

The Ifs: These local stars, otherwise known as “The Secret Agents of British Invasion,” will perform on a floating stage on Hoyt Lake. They will be sharing the stage with Grand Island's alternative/indie rock/Brit-Pop group, Inline. From their website:

"Founded in Warrington, Cheshire U.K. in the early 60's by schoolmates reginald van if, nebs, filthy mcnasty, and teddy ulster. First act to capture the big beat sound made famous by such acts as the beatles, kinks, who, rolling stones, and others. A vast conspiracy involving certain members of the royal family, the transit union, the BBC, and a few jealous musicians ended their popularity suddenly in late 1963. With the recent discovery of lost manuscript the band has reformed and now tours the world seeking to reclaim the sound that was once theirs alone..... ......Well at least that is what we would like you all to believe!.. ;-)"

Check out their website and Myspace pages for more info and samples of their music!

The British Car Club of WNY: Their mission is simple: "The primary purpose of the British Car Club of Western New York (BCC) is two-fold: to foster camaraderie and good will among enthusiasts of British cars, and to exchange ideas and technical expertise attendant to the restoration and preservation of British cars." The author of this blog post has personally spent time showing a Mineral Blue Mark I MGB at one of their shows, and they are an extremely hospitable group, with an excellent selection of classics.

For more info, check out their website!

Pyromancy Fire Dancers: For those who need some wild excitement, Buffalo's own fire performance will be present as well. For those who have not seen them before, their talent speaks for itself in this video:

From their website (click for the rest):
"Fire dancing is an amazing art of skill and precision, using instruments similar to martial art weaponry. These instruments are set on fire and spun about the body. Some of theses instruments are commonly known where others may not be quite as familiar. The more familiar instruments include staff, double staff, batons, poi, and hula hoops. The lesser know instruments are fans, rope dart, comets, meteors, fire fingers, and more."

Buffalo Beach Tennis: Sports fanatics rejoice, this ambitious bunch, which has been spotted playing "Snow Tennis" at the Powder Keg Festival, will be present as well. This year Beach Tennis will take on a Wimbledon theme!

Check them out on their Facebook page!

Queen City Roller Girls: Think cruising around on blades is fun? Wait until you see this crew in action. Turning roller derby into a girl-powered, intensive sport, they're definitely not playing any [ordinary] games. Their mission, in their own words:

"Queen City Roller Girls (QCRG) is a skater owned and operated flat-track roller derby league in Western New York. QCRG is continuously committed to the reviving and redefining of the classic sport of roller derby, with a 21st century twist. Flat-track roller derby is a full contact sport played by independent, strong women. The League provides an opportunity for athleticism, camaraderie, and self-expression. We inspire on and off the rink; we serve the community, get fit, and have fun."

Buffalo Jugglers: This fun-loving and family-friendly talented group, who meets every Monday night at the Abraham Lincoln statue in Delaware Park, will be showing off their skills as well. Not only do they normally perform for others, but also take pride in sharing the joy of juggling with those interested. Formed in the late 1970's, they've definitely worked up a reputation.

For more information, and plenty of photos, be sure to look at their website

The event will be led by our local news reporter Autumn Lewandowski (who has a blog, located here). Sponsors of this year’s “Party for the Parks” include City Council Members Michael J. LoCurto, Michael P. Kearns, and Demone A. Smith, as well as the Rupp Family Foundation, West Herr Auto Group, Lawley Insurance, Entercom, WILLCARE, and MassMutual.

Tickets are $20 for general admission. However, starting September 1^st, tickets will be $25 for general admission. All proceeds benefit the Olmsted Park and Parkway System. To purchase tickets for this over-21 event, please visit the Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s website at www.BFLOparks.org or call (716) 838-1249 ext 11.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Thursday 8.11.11 - Willie May Blues Band

2011-08-08T15:58:00.000-04:00

It's the Summer Breeze by the Lake FREE Concert Series FINALE, and the BOPC is bringing you the Willie May Blues Band! Perhaps our most seasoned performer, Willie May is sure to bring years of talent with them. They've perfected their style, earning nothing less than top notch reviews across the board.

When & Where: Delaware Park Rose Garden Pergola (199 Lincoln Parkway), from 5:00-7:30PM

More info from the band's website:

Willie May has performed in basements, barns, garages, street corners, speak-easies, house trailers, preschool, high school, colleges, radio, television, bars, concert halls, outdoor festival arenas, and inside Attica prison.

Willie has taken his original blend of music to the blues clubs from The LaFayette Tap Room in Buffalo to Antones in Austin, TX, The Black Swan in Toronto, The Penny Arcade in Rochester, The Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, The Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis, Fat Fish Blue in Cleveland, Bflo Blues in Pittsburgh, and to countless other venues on thousands, yes thousands, of occasions.

Willie May has performed back to back on stage with Alvin Lee, Steve Marriott, John Kay and Steppenwolf, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Otis Clay, The Climax Blues Band, Zorra Young, Jerry Portnoy, The Legendary Blues Band, Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks, Johnny Clyde Copeland, Sue Foley, L.A. Jones, Chris Duarte, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Stan Szelest, Chris Beard, Rock Bottom, James Cotton, Big Jack Johnson and many more. The Willie May Band featuring Ron Kain, Tom E. Corsi, Randy Corsi and, of course, Willie May is a 5 time Buffalo Area Music Award winner voted Western New York Blues Beat Magazine's Band of the Year.

Willie May focuses on an exceptional live performance...but there are several reviews online, such as:

http://mancave.myfreeforum.org/sutra549.php (includes fan photos)

"This is a band from the 70s and 80s who I used to see in my youth and places like the Belle Starr lounge, Uncle Sams, Mickey Rats (the original) and those old time rock bars. "

...as well as page after page of previous show listings, proving Willie May's veteran track record:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thursday_at_the_Square#1995

Thanks for your support through the summer, and stay tuned to this site to see our upcoming events!

Olmsted Open Pro-Am Golf Tournament

2011-08-03T10:51:00.000-04:00

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Delaware Park Meadows Golf Course

For 2011, the tournament has partnered with the WNY PGA, who’s purpose is to promote
golf to juniors and disadvantaged youth in the WNY section. The tournament has been
expanded to a Pro-AM format that will include a WNY PGA Pro playing with each
foursome. The majority of the proceeds go to help improve the BOPC parks, parkways &
golf courses for all in WNY to enjoy. Secondary beneficiaries are the First Tee of WNY
and Buffalo Inner City Youth Fan Club for Golf (Youth golf & education). 28 Foursomes or
112 golfers + 28 Pro’s will participate in the event. Each admission fee of $100 includes
entry into all tournament extras. 18 holes of golf with cart in a scramble format.
Tournament will have Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin & Hole in One contests on the
course during play and hold a Putting contest with qualifying prior to start of tournament
and eliminations to finals after play before dinner and awards. Entry fee includes tickets
for Basket Raffles, Grand Prize raffle & Putting Contest. Many Sponsorship levels
available contact Dave Hoover - Tournament Director @ 716-838-1249 ext 19 or
email: dave@bfloparks.org

Registration is due with payment in full by August 15th. Teams will be foursomes with a PGA of WNY player on each team.(Send toBuffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Attn: Olmsted Pro-Am 84 Parkside Avenue Buffalo, NY 14214)

Price is $100 a person. If attending, dinner and awards ceremony only, cost will be $20 a person

10:30 AM Registration & Team Photos Qualifying Putting Contest
11:00 AM Lunch
12:00 PM Shotgun Start
5:00 PM Barbecue Dinner & Awards
6:00 - 6:30 PM Tournament Wrap Up, Silent Auction, Basket Raffles, Grand Prize Raffle

The Olmsted Open Pro-Am Tournament is sponsored by M&T Insurance Agency, New Era, Try-It Distribution, Councilman Michael LoCurto, and Councilman Demone Smith.

Thursday 8.4.11 - Andrew J. Reimer's Country-Punk Extravaganza!

2011-08-01T11:01:00.000-04:00

With only 2 shows remaining in our Summer Breeze by the Lake FREE Concert Series, the BOPC is proud to bring you Andrew J. Reimer's Country-Punk Extravaganza! A local band, categorized as Acoustic / Country / Post punk with a truly original sound!

Come start August off right with this fine performance that you're sure to enjoy.

When & Where: Delaware Park Rose Garden Pergola (199 Lincoln Parkway), from 5:00-7:30PM

More info from the band's website:

"Andrew J. Reimers is an entirely mythical figure, a figment of his parents' warped imagination. He currently resides in Buffalo, NY, living simply and hoping only, like Pinocchio, to one day become a real boy." .. .. .. "The undisputed, and self-proclaimed, 'King of Acoustic Country-Punk', Andrew J. Reimers has been tearing his way through Buffalo's underground music scene for the better part of the last decade. With influences ranging from Johnny Cash and Elvis, all the way to The Misfits and Operation Ivy, his brand of Country-Rock is guaranteed to have you Kicking shit and Loving it."

...and in a few less words...

"Simple songs for honest people."

Be sure to check out their various online resources:

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/andrewjreimers
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/andrewjextravaganza

Thursday 7.21.11 - The JT Blues Band

2011-07-21T12:43:00.000-04:00

We may be just over midway through the Conservancy's Summer Breeze by the Lake FREE concert series, but it's by no means slowing down! This Thursday (7/21/11), we present to you the JT Blues Band, a local band that also performed for us earlier this year. Don't miss your second chance to see them live, or, if you came last time, your opportunity to check out what they have in store for their summer appearance.

When & Where: Delaware Park Rose Garden Pergola (199 Lincoln Parkway), from 5:00-7:30PM

Link to our Facebook event

From the band's website:

We are a LIVE band that performs throughout WNY. We had a very limited budget for our album and we wanted a mix that you would hear when you heard us perform LIVE. Sorry, there is no dubbing, extra instruments, or studio magic. What you hear is what you get when we perform. Blues critics can think what they want, since this CD is selling very well including in 17 countries worldwide and our fans are very happy. Plus some of these songs have already had radio-air play!!!Thanks for listening. So here's our Bio;-A Western New York based Blues/Rock Band that prides their original Blues music, but also features the music of Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, SRV, Gary Moore, ZZ Top, plus traditional Blues. Definately NOT your standard Blues band. Several of their original songs are featured on WBFO's 88.7FM compilation CD's. Their songs are sometimes heard on the weekend blues radio shows. They have currently released a NEW original album called "21st Century Blues" which is selling quite well and getting some radio play. Get your copy while they last at Record Theatre stores, Spiral Scatch Records, at their performances or at CD Baby.com, just click on the link on the left. The band members have many years of music experience & are members of the WNY Blues Society. Just attend one of their shows to experience their passion for this genre. Their original music is fresh, unique, and current. They have great chemistry and play music that is not always heard by other bands. The bands past accomplishments is they came in 2nd place at the 2010 Memphis Bound Blues Competition sponsered by the Blues Society of WNY. Another great accomplishment is that three of their original songs were selected to be on the 88.7 FM WBFO "Nickel City Blues" Volume 4 & the WBFO "Gives Me the Blues" Volume 6 & 7 CD's for local blues artists. Available online on the WBFO website www.wbfo.org, The band would like to thank all of their loyal fans and new fans and invite everyone to come out to see them sometime.

Be sure to check out their various online resources:

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thejtbluesband

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-JT-Blues-Band/60637004333

Reverb Nation: http://www.reverbnation.com/jtbluesband

Front Yard Garden Competition public voting begins this evening

2011-07-18T10:09:00.000-04:00

Beginning at 5p.m. on Saturday night (July 16) and carrying on through Friday, July 22, the public can vote for their favorite garden makeover from the 2nd annual National Garden Festival’s Front Yard Garden Competition. Ballots can be cast in person on Newman Place or online.

Landscapers have put the finishing touches on an inspiring transformation of 13 front yards along Newman Place, which borders Frederick Law Olmsted’s Cazenovia Park in South Buffalo. The landscapers, who donated their time and materials, began constructing the gardens on July 11. Festival organizers believe it is the only such civic-minded garden competition in the country.

Voting will take place both at physical ballot boxes along Newman Place and online at www.nationalgardenfestival.com. The Web site features “before and after” photos of the gardens, as well as a blog, which illustrates the progress of the transformation and features profiles of the landscapers and homeowners.

To kick off the voting, National Garden Festival Executive Director Sally Cunningham will give free guided tours of the Front Yard Garden Competition from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., at which point the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will give a free performance across the street in Cazenovia Park, followed by fireworks.
In addition to the public voting, a team of gardening experts will review the gardens and bestow awards in several technical categories to the landscapers.

The Front Yard Garden Competition is being coordinated by the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association, the New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Visit Buffalo Niagara, and the National Garden Festival organizing committee.
The following landscapers are participating in the competition:

Beaver Landscaping, Inc.
Beyond the Basics Property Services, Inc.
Chevalier Outdoor Living
Dore Landscape Associates
Elbers Landscape Service, Inc.
The English Gardener, Ltd
Murray Brothers Nurseries, Inc.
T. O'Donnell Landscaping
Restorff's Landscape Service

The competition receives additional support from a continually expanding list of local businesses and organizations, including, but not limited to: Akron Tree Farms, Belgarde Hardscapes, Bradley Tree & Landscaping, Cooper Ridge Gardens, Felber’s Building Supplies, Great Lakes Concrete Products, Lakeside Sod, Lilac Creek, Lockwood’s Greenhouses, Gilson Gardens, International Society of Arboriculture, Russell's Tree & Shrub Farm, Scranton's Thruway Builder's Supplies, Shrub Coat, Unilock and Waterman's Greenhouse.

After the competition is complete, the Newman Place residents can take free training on how to maintain their new landscaping.

The National Garden Festival began on June 24 and runs through July 31. With 14 garden walks (including Garden Walk Buffalo – the largest event of its kind in the country), workshops, nationally-recognized speakers, open gardens, and a series of bus tours, this five-week-long festival has something for anyone with (or without) a green thumb. A full calendar of events and additional information is available at www.nationalgardenfestival.com

The National Garden Festival is a collaboration between the garden and landscape organizations of the Buffalo Niagara region. The festival is presented by Visit Buffalo Niagara, District 8 Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Garden Walk Buffalo, the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association, the New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and Forest Lawn Cemetery. Funding is provided by the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, the Western New York Foundation, the Buffalo Green Fund, Catholic Health Systems, and Mercy Hospital. Additional support has been provided by the Western New York Hosta Society, the Buffalo Area Daylily Society, the Peace Garden Project, Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension, Buffalo in Bloom, the Iris Society of Western New York and Elizabeth Licata. The Buffalo News and LocalEdge are media sponsors.

For more information contact:

Peter Burakowski

Communications Manager

Visit Buffalo Niagara

Office: 716-218-2922

Cell: 716-480-3054

burakowski@visitbuffaloniagara.com

Thursday 7.14.11 Megan Callahan & Friends and the Albrights

2011-07-12T10:50:00.000-04:00

As part of the Conservancy's Summer Breeze by the Lake FREE concert series, artists Megan Callahan, and The Albrights will be performing on Thursday, July 14, at Delaware Park Rose Garden Pergola (199 Lincoln Parkway), from 5:00-9:00PM. You won't want to miss out on this eclectic experience!

Megan Callahan, originally from New Jersey, has a very broad background that contributes strongly to her unique musical style. She formerly perfomed in the duo Voxangelica, but has since worked as a solo performer, putting out her first full length album "Since the Fire" in Buffalo, NY. She lists Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Led Zeppelin, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Ani DiFranco, Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, and Pete Seeger as her influences, also commenting that the other music she enjoys would form an endlessly long list.

You can learn more about Megan, as well as view photos and more, at her website: http://www.megancallahan.com, or on her Twitter page. She's also made several videos available for your enjoyment on her YouTube Channel.

From her website:
“Arts education and access to music and the arts early in life literally helped me through some of the roughest times of adolescence. This is a vital outlet for young and old people alike.” Megan says. She is committed to people not only having access to their inner artist, but the means to voice it as well. For this reason, she strives to raise awareness about the importance of living wages for artists, creating safe space for artistic expression on a community level, and the philanthropic opportunity that exists in combining live performance with raising funds for charities and socially conscious organizations."

The Albrights, composed of Joseph Donohue III, Brandon Barry, Matthew Crane, Aaron Odden, are a Buffalo based rock band with an ecclectic blend of early American Rock, Blues and Motown packaged together through stellar musicianship and a genuine approach to music. They are presently on the indie label Buzz Records, producing music not unlike that of The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Killers, and Moby Grape.

To learn more about the Albrights, check out their Myspace Page or Facebook Page.

Summer Breeze by the Lake is a 9-week all-ages concert series that features a variety of musical acts performing at the top of Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park every Thursday from June 16th, 2011 through August 11th, 2011. Proceeds from the series benefit the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

For more info call 716-838-1249 ext 23

Augustina Droze presents at Burchfield Penney Art Center

2011-07-08T16:39:00.000-04:00

Augustina Droze, a visiting mural artist from Los Angeles, will give a presentation of her work and discuss the wall mural underway next to McKinley High School, 1500 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo. This event will be hosted by Philip Ogle, professor and chair of the Fine Arts Department at Buffalo State College, and Kathy Shiroki, Curator of Museum Learning and Community Engagement at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Ogle is currently teaching a public art/mural painting class whose students are assisting Droze with the mural.

Droze's presentation will be held on Wednesday, July 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the conference room at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. All are welcome to attend. For further information, please contact the Fine Arts Department at 878-6014.

Golf Summer Camps Available at Buffalo Olmsted Parks' Golf Courses

2011-06-28T11:47:00.000-04:00

Steve Harber- United States Golf Teachers Federation Certified Teaching Professional

Steve Harber has 15+ years teaching experience working in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. He offers a relaxing yet very effective approach to golf instruction. Mr. Harber's specialty is group instruction although he has extensive experience teaching private lessons.

Steve will be involved with the Buffalo Olmsted Park's summer golf camps for kids and golf clinics which will rotate between Delaware park, South Park& Cazenovia Park golf courses. Check with the individual golf houses for more information.

Steve can be reached at 716-207-1630 for any questions on the summer camps.

2011 Buffalo Olmsted Park's Junior Golf Camps & Clinics
Golf Camps scheduled for July & August, 2011

Where: Delaware Park & South Park Golf Courses
When: Starting July 5th through August 4th- 5 one hour sessions
Eligibility: 3 age groups available 2010, **5-7, 8-12, and 13-17.

There will be two group sizes for the 2011 season- 4 & 8 golfers per group
**5-7 ages will only be 4 per class due to safety reasons

Instructor: Steve Harber-United States Golf Teachers Federation Certified Golf Teaching Professional (15+ years experience)

DELAWARE PARK CAMPS
Tuesdays July 5, 12, 19, 26, & August 2- ages 5-7 (9:00am-10:00am)
ages 8-12 (10:15am-11:15) & (11:30am-12:30pm)

Wednesdays July 6, 13, 20, 27, & August 3- ages (9:00am-10:00am)ages 8-12 (10:15am-11:15am) ages 13-17 (12:30pm-1:30pm)

Thursdays July 7, 14, 21, 28, & August 4- ages 5-7 (9:00am-10:00am) ages 8-12 (10:15am-11:15am) ages 13-17 (12:30pm-1:30pm)

SOUTH PARK CAMPS
Tuesdays July 5, 12, 19, 26, & August 2- ages 5-7 (1:30-2:30pm) ages 8-12 (2:45pm-3:45pm)

Thursdays July 7, 14, 21, & August 4 ages 13-17 (2:15pm-3:15pm)

Camp Rates: $40.00 per golfer for 8 student groups
$50.00 per golfer for 4 student groups

All camp golfers must provide their own set of clubs

Sign-up registration for the camps is on a first come basis until the camp is full.
Send completed registration form and check payable to "Buffalo Olmsted Parks Golf"

Attn: Dave Hoover

84 Parkside Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14214.

************************************************************************

Name:___________________________________________________________________

Street Address:____________________________________________________________

City:____________________State:____________________ Zip:_______________

Phone:____________________________________________________________

Email:________________________________________________________________

Boy:_____________________ Girl:___________________ Age:___________________

First Choice Camp:___________________________________________________________

Second Choice Camp:_________________________________________________________

8 Student Class $40.00______________________________________________________

or 4 student Class (ages 5-7) $50.00______________________________________________

Note: If you are registering more than one camper, make another copy and complete.
If you have any questions about the golf camps, call Dave Hoover at 716-838-1249 ext 19.

Free Golf Clinic at South Park

2011-06-07T12:25:00.000-04:00

This Saturday, June 11th at 10:00am, Steve Harber, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy's resident golf teaching professional, will be offering a FREE golf clinic at the South Park Golf Course-Putting Green.

In this clinic, golfers will learn how to improve their Golf Swing through good set-up. Grip, stance, alignment, posture, and ball position will be addressed in this clinic to lead to a more consistent swing.

What to bring:

Your clubs
Golf balls
A willingness to learn

Come check out this FREE clinic and improve your golf game while spending time in beautiful South Park.

www.bfloparks.org

www.facebook.com/bfloparks

Buffalo Chamber Players Support the Olmsted Parks!

2011-06-06T11:14:00.000-04:00

The Buffalo Chamber Players will be pledging 20% of ticket sales from their June 8th concert, "Dead Elvis and other American masterworks," to the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Please read below for additional information on the Buffalo Chamber Players and their June 8th Concert!

BUFFALO CHAMBER PLAYERS PRESENT “DEAD ELVIS”: AN ALL-AMERICAN PROGRAM

Buffalo, NY – On Wednesday, June 8, 2011, special guest BPO associate conductor Matthew Kraemer will lead the Buffalo Chamber Players as they conclude their 2010-2011 concert season. The innovative program explores the unique and diverse canon of American music, featuring works by Michael Daugherty, George Rochberg and Aaron Copland. 20% of ticket sales from the concert will benefit the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

“Dead Elvis” will open the program. Written by Grammy award-winner Michael Daugherty, the piece is purposely scored for the same instrumentation as Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale.” The Faustian scenario, in which a soldier sells his violin and soul to the devil, is recast around the iconic American performer. Playing the role of Elvis will be bassoonist Glenn Einschlag—dressed in the composer-requested 1970s Las Vegas Elvis jumpsuit.

Written in 1967, George Rochberg’s “Music for the Magic Theater” is a powerful work highlighting the composer’s break from serialism, the dominant art-music movement of the time. Upon the death of his teenage son in 1964, Rochberg (1918-2005) abandoned serialism, concluding that it "was empty of expressive emotion and ... inadequate to express [his] grief.”

The title of the works refers to Herman Hesse’s novel “Steppenwolf.” In the novel, the Magic Theater is a place where past and present coexist. The piece quotes heavily from a variety of composers, including Beethoven, Miles Davis, Mahler, Mozart and Varèse. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra premiered an orchestrated version of the work in 1969, under the baton of Melvin Strauss.

The final piece in the program will be the quintessential American composer Aaron Copland’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Appalachian Spring.” Commissioned by choreographer and dancer Martha Graham in 1944, it quickly became an audience favorite. Often heard in its orchestrated version, the Chamber Players will present the work in its original chamber version for 12 players.

The Buffalo Chamber Players is a critically acclaimed ensemble presenting innovative chamber music programs performed by the region’s finest musicians. Formed in 2007 by BPO violist Janz Castelo, the Players’ mission is to challenge and redefine the public’s perception of chamber music and to promote the city of Buffalo as an inspiring place to live, work and play.

The concert takes place at Buffalo Seminary, 205 Bidwell Parkway at 7:30 PM, and is open to the public. Tickets are $15/$5 for students, and available at buffalochamberplayers.org and at the door.

************

WHAT: “Dead Elvis”: All-American Music

WHO: Buffalo Chamber Players

WHEN: Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 7:30 PM

WHERE: Buffalo Seminary, 205 Bidwell Parkway

TIX: $15/$5 students, at buffalochamberplayers.org and at the door

INFO: buffalochamberplayers.org

"Summer Breeze by the Lake" FREE CONCERT SERIES

2011-06-02T12:32:00.001-04:00

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce the "Summer Breeze by the Lake" FREE concert series. Summer Breeze at the Lake is a 9 week all-ages concert series that features a variety of musical acts performing at the top of Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park every Thursday from June 16^th, 2011 through August 11^th, 2011. Proceeds from the series benefit the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. The schedule for the concert series is as follows:

JUNE 16 SOULIS

JUNE 23 ALL-STAR BAND

JUNE 30 4-IN TUNE

JULY 7 NEVILLE FRANCIS

JULY 14 MEGHAN CALLAHAN & FRIENDS AND THE ALBRIGHTS

JULY 21 THE JT BLUES BAND

JULY 28 PARTY SQUAD

AUG 4 ANDREW J. REIMER'S COUNTRY PUNK EXTRAVAGANZA

AUG 11 WILLIE MAY BLUES BAND

"Summer Breeze by the Lake" can be seen as a complimentary event to "Shakespeare in Delaware Park" as it concludes immediately before the beginning of that event. An official announcement of the concert series will be made next week.

Troop 70097 in Crandell Woods

2011-05-31T10:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the Girl Scouts from Daisy Troop 70097, who helped to plant 14 trees in Crandell Woods in Delaware Park this past Saturday, May 28th. Below are some pictures of our wonderful helpers dedicating their time and efforts to the beautification of our parks.

LABATT USA TO COVER VANDALISM COSTS FOR DELAWARE PARK

2011-05-25T10:04:00.001-04:00

LABATT USA TO COVER VANDALISM COSTS FOR DELAWARE PARK

Generous community response gives the parks a lift

Buffalo, New York – Imagine if someone took a spray can to one of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. That’s essentially what happened in Delaware Park earlier this week when vandals, attempted to ruin one of the most cherished treasures in the region. About 100 teenagers and young adults created thousands of dollars in damages, leaving the park in disrepair just before its busiest season.

According to Thomas Herrera-Mishler, CEO of Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the damage to the parks quieted his otherwise hard-working and enthusiastic staff. “We were all very discouraged,” said Herrera-Mishler. “We get a lot done on a very tight budget and to have someone maliciously vandalize it – was shocking and sad.”

But a quick and compassionate response from numerous small donors, HSBC Bank and Labatt USA provided a boost to morale. Within hours of news reports at local media outlets, donations began pouring in $10 at a time.

Then came the phone call from Labatt USA. “They asked how much it would take to repair the damage in Delaware Park. We gave them the total and an hour later they offered to cover the cost in full,” said Herrera-Mishler. “The most effective way to counteract the vandals is to remove the graffiti, fix the playground and repair the fountain. To do it quickly and with the help of our community, only diminishes the vandals’ negative impact on us.”

Donations will go toward quickly restoring the damage and to implement additional security measures to help prevent future attacks. Specialized and expensive formulas are required to remove and prevent graffiti on the parks’ historic buildings and these donations will allow the Conservancy to move fast to restore the Marcy Casino and Delaware Park Rose Gardens before this coming weekend’s weddings.

“Without the money in-hand, we wouldn’t be able to immediately make the repairs,” said Herrera-Mishler. “There will be many brides and grooms toasting Labatt for their generosity.”

Additional vandalism occurred at Day’s Park, Cazenovia Park and Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. If you would like to make a one-time $10 donation, please text the word “parks” to 20222 on cell phones* or visit Olmsted’s website at www.bfloparks.org

About Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is a not-for-profit, independent, community

organization that promotes, preserves, restores, enhances, and ensures maintenance of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks and parkways in the Greater Buffalo area now and for future generations. In 2008, the Conservancy released its Plan for the 21st

Century, a blueprint for the management and restoration of the entire park system.

Listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places, the Olmsted system in

Buffalo is the first of its kind in the nation designed by America’s greatest landscape

architect. The major Olmsted Parks in Buffalo are Cazenovia, Delaware, Front, Martin

Luther King, Jr., Riverside and South Parks.

Visit www.BFLOParks.org for more details.

* Your phone bill will show a $10 charge or will be deducted from your prepaid account. Standard message or data rates may apply. Privacy policy.

SEVERE VANDALISM IN DELAWARE PARK!

2011-05-23T15:37:00.000-04:00

On Saturday night, May 21^st, the southern half of Delaware Park in the City of Buffalo sustained significant damage due to vandalism. The Marcy Casino building (199 Lincoln Pkwy) was the victim of graffiti on several of its columns and walls as well as the elevator for the handicapped. The Ivy Bridge in Rumsey Woods was spray painted. The decorative top of the ornamental fountain in the Rose Garden was snapped off. The slide at the children’s playground was maliciously destroyed by caving in its base and the top being tied up with rope. Earlier in the evening more than 100 teenagers and young adults were witnessed congregating around the Marcy Casino. The president and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Thomas Herrera-Mishler, held a press conference today at 2:00 pm at the Marcy Casino to address this recent rash of vandalism. Council Members LoCurto, Rivera, and Police Chief Barba were in attendance for the press conference. Below are a few photos of the damage.

It is up to the community who patronizes the park to see that the Japanese Gardens are maintained as a kid-friendly place free from crime and destruction. Those with information regarding the vandalism are asked to contact the Buffalo City Police tip line, (716)847-2255, and or the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, (716)838-1249.

Free Golf Clinic at Delaware Park

2011-05-18T10:19:00.000-04:00

This Saturday, May 21st at 10:00am, Steve Harber, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy's resident golf teaching professional, will be offering a FREE golf clinic at the Delaware Park Golf Course-Putting Green. In this clinic, golfers will learn how to improve their long game through short game practice. Swing mechanics will also be addressed in this clinic.

What to bring:

Putter
Chipping wedge (or similar club)
Golf balls

Come check out this FREE clinic and improve your golf game while spending time in beautiful Delaware Park.

www.bfloparks.org

www.facebook.com/bfloparks

Community Watch: Japanese Gardens Vandalized!

2011-05-12T14:29:00.000-04:00

A few days ago a mature tree in the Japanese Gardens was completely broken off at the trunk thus killing it. The person or persons responsible for this vandalism have damaged an important part of the landscape that serves both an ecological and aesthetic purpose. This tree had purpose while the ignorant actions of those responsible for its destruction didn't. What was done was shameful and shows a complete lack of respect for the community and the environment. Simply put these were the actions of a jerk.

Birding Walk in Riverside Park 5.28.11

2011-05-09T15:17:00.003-04:00

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Buffalo Audubon Society, and Medaille College announce a FREE introductory bird watching walk to the public at Riverside Park on Saturday, May 28^th, 2011. Bird watching (oftentimes referred to as birding) is the observation and study of birds through looking at (telescopes and binoculars) and listening for bird songs and calls. This introductory bird watching walk at Riverside Park will help the general public learn about the birds of Buffalo and the Niagara River and gain an introduction to binoculars, guide books, and field marks.

Buffalo Audubon naturalists and volunteers will be on hand to help first-time birders join the fastest growing recreational pastime in the United States. Those who are interested in attending are asked to meet in the parking lot on Hotaling Drive in Riverside Park (enter across from Roesch Avenue) at 10am Saturday, May 28^th.

This free introductory walk is the beginning of a partnership between the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Buffalo Audubon Society, and Medaille College, for the purpose of building community involvement and training students on how to teach environmental education. The walk is free, but participants are asked to pre-register by calling Sal Sciandra at 716-838-1249 x33 or sal@bfloparks.org

Who: Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Audubon Society, and Medaille College

When: Saturday, May 9^th, 2011

Time: 10:00am-Noon

What: A FREE introductory birding walk at Riverside Park. Those who attend will receive training in how to use bird watching equipment, identify common bird species and more.

Contact: Sal Sciandra 716-838-1249 ext 33 or sal@bfloparks.org

Improvements to South Park Golf House

2011-05-02T14:14:00.000-04:00

With golf season underway, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce that the South Park golf house has recently gone through some noticeable improvements. The men’s restroom, the women’s restroom, the locker room, the storeroom area, along with the main room have all been repaired and repainted.

Women's Bathroom, After

•Holes in ceiling & walls patched

•New paint on ceiling, walls, floor, bathroom stalls

Men's Bathroom, Before

Men's Bathroom, After

•Holes in ceiling & walls patched

•New paint on ceiling, walls, floor, bathroom stalls

Storeroom Area, Before

Storeroom Area, After

• New drywall installed, painted, door repaired

South Park Main Room, After

• Walls, floor, fireplace painted

• Kitchen area repaired

Golf Courses will open this Saturday, April 30th

2011-04-20T12:16:00.001-04:00

After a long Buffalo winter and rainy April, Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks are anxiously awaiting the beginning of the 2011 Golf Season. This Saturday, April 30^th at 7:00am, all three Olmsted Golf Courses (Cazenovia, Delaware, and South Park) will officially open to the public. Both Cazenovia & South Park courses are 9-hole courses, while Delaware is an 18-hole course. Prices range depending on city residency, senior & youth status, and weekday versus weekend play. Golf Passes are currently available for purchase at the Olmsted golf houses as well as online at the conservancy website. To obtain a season pass golfers must bring proper identification (valid driver’s license), a head-shot photograph no larger than 1” x 1”, and payment in the form of cash, check or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only). For a detailed pricing structure please visit www.bfloparks.org.

Delaware Park Golf Course

South Park Golf Course

Cazenovia Park Golf Course

All Star Band 4.7.11

2011-04-11T10:28:00.001-04:00

This past Thursday the “All Star Band” kicked off 2 encore performances at the Music at the Marcy Concert Series in Delaware Park. “All Star Band” will perform one last time this Thursday April 14^that the Marcy Casino. Come out and enjoy your last chance for the final performance of the series!

The “All Star Band” features Wade Hawkins (Keys), Kenny Hawkins (guitar), Flute Johnson (Drums), Rodney Appleby (Bass guitar) and John Miller (Technician).

The members of the "All Star Band" have played with many reputable artists that include but aren't limited to Rick James, Teddy Riley, Mary Jane Girls, Process & the Doo Rags, N'Dambi, Shirley Ceaser, LeVert, Blue Magic, Mickey Howard, Stephanie Mills, Shanice Wilson, Lenny Williams, and Shawnee Mac. With a broad range of influences including Jeff Labro, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vie, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clark, Billy Cob Ham, Michael Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Rick James, the "All Star Band" certainly lives up to their name and is sure to make these encore performances at the Marcy Casino unforgettable!

Music at the Marcy is an all-ages concert series of musical acts performing in the historic Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Parkway) in Delaware Park. Admission is FREE for members of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, $5 for general public, and $3 for college students with valid college ID. Proceeds from the series go to benefit the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

For more information please visit www.bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249 ext 23.

Community Watch: Riverside Park Vandalized!

2011-03-30T14:10:00.001-04:00

Earlier last week, Riverside Park sustained a significant amount of criminal damage. Vandals destroyed the stone work on a park entrance sign on Crowley Avenue along with a stone park bench. Recently planted trees were also torn out of the ground and a Port-a-potty was also flipped over and broken. Several bleachers were damaged and flipped over along with a large sign used by the football league. The vandals also left graffiti all across the park. Anyone with information regarding the vandalism of the park is asked to contact the police.

Riverside Park is a shared asset that benefits the Riverside community and the City of Buffalo at large. The park is a popular place for sports and recreation in the area. In recent years the Conservancy has enhanced the football field with a grant from the National Football League and the Buffalo Bills. It is up to the community who patronizes and benefit from the park to see that Riverside is maintained as a kid-friendly place free from crime and destruction. Those with information regarding the vandalism are asked to contact the Buffalo City Police tip line, (716)847-2255, and or the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, (716)838-1249.

Encore performances of "Music at the Marcy" April 7th & 14th

2011-03-25T14:33:00.000-04:00

Due to popular demand, 2 encore performances have been added to the Music at the Marcy Concert Series in Delaware Park. These two additional performance dates will feature Buffalo’s own “All Star Band” and are slated for Thursday April 7th & 14th.

The members of the “All Star Band” have played with many reputable artists that include but aren’t limited to Rick James, Teddy Riley, Mary Jane Girls, Process & the Doo Rags, N'Dambi, Shirley Ceaser, LeVert, Blue Magic, Mickey Howard, Stephanie Mills, Shanice Wilson, Lenny Williams, and Shawnee Mac. With a broad range of influences including Jeff Labro, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vie, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clark, Billy Cob Ham, Michael Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Rick James, the “All Star Band” certainly lives up to their name and is sure to make these encore performances at the Marcy Casino unforgettable!

The “All Star Band” features Wade Hawkins (Keys), Kenny Hawkins (guitar), Flute Johnson (Drums), Rodney Appleby (Bass guitar) and John Miller (Technician).

Music at the Marcy is an all-ages concert series of musical acts performing in the historic Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Parkway) in Delaware Park. Admission is FREE for members of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, $5 for general public, and $3 for college students with valid college ID. Proceeds from the series go to benefit the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

For more information please visit www.bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249 ext 23.

2011 GOLF SEASON PASS INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE BUFFALO OLMSTED PARKS GOLF COURSES

2011-03-21T10:39:00.000-04:00

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy announces that seasonal Golf passes will be available for sale for all 3 of the Olmsted Parks golf courses including Cazenovia Park, Delaware Park, and South Park starting Sunday, March 27 2011 at our BOPC golf course golf houses. Delaware Park has an 18-hole course located on the Parkside Avenue – Nottingham side of the Park. Cazenovia Park and South Park courses’ are 9-hole courses located in South Buffalo area.

This year power golf carts will be available to rent at both our Delaware Park and Cazenovia Park golf courses. Locker rooms with locker availability will be available for rent at Delaware Park golf course, Parkside lodge and lockers for golf bags and misc. golf items will be for rent at the South Park golf house. The 2011 Golf season will begins Saturday, April 23rd (weather permitting) and runs through October 31st.
Golf passes can be purchased on the following dates:

"Special Sales Days":

Sunday, March 27th
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
* All 3 golf courses
South Park golf house, Cazenovia Park golf house
& Parkside Lodge golf shop, Delaware Park

Sunday, April 10th
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* All 3 golf courses *
South Park golf house, Cazenovia Park golf house
& Delaware Park golf shop, Parkside lodge

Saturday, April 16th
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
* All 3 golf courses *
South Park golf house, Cazenovia Park golf house
& Delaware Park Parkside lodge golf shop

Golfers must bring:
proper identification (valid driver’s license)
headshot photograph, no larger than 1” X 1”
cash, check, MasterCard or Visa

Golf season pass cards will not be honored without a photo and signature.
City of Buffalo Resident Regular Golf Season Pass pricing

Regular 7 day pass (Regular golfer - age 17 to 59); $ 185
Regular 7 day pass (Senior golfer - age 60 or older); $ 150
Regular 7 day pass (Youth golfer - age 16 and under); $ 125

Regular 5 day pass (Senior golfer – age 60 or older); $ 90

Locker Rental Card; $30 (Specific info. on application)
Non-Resident City of Buffalo Golf Season Pass Pricing
Regular 7 day pass (Regular golfer – age 17 to 59); $ 250
Regular 7 day pass (Senior golfer – age 60 or older); $ 200
Regular 7 day pass (Youth golfer – age 16 and under); $ 175
Single day, twilight, league and tournament play is also available.

Course hours are dawn to dusk, weather permitting. Check with each course golf house for hours of operation.

For more information on golf passes, league & tournament permits and single day passes, call Dave Hoover, Golf Operations Manager for the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy at 838-1249 ext. 19 or visit our website at www.bfloparks.org – golf)

Fools Like Us at "Music at the Marcy" 3.10.11

2011-03-10T09:35:00.000-05:00

Tonight, March 10th, Fools Like Us will be performing at the Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Pkwy) as part of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks, “Music at the Marcy” concert series. Fools Like Us (FLU) is a local band based in Buffalo that performs roots, Americana, rock and original music.

Fools Like Us is comprised of lead guitarist Mike Sweeney, Bill Blanford on the guitar and vocals,Joe Marshall with the bass & vocals, and percussionist Chuck Terranova.

Come and catch FLU… FLU music is good for what ails you!

This is the band’s second year in a row performing at “Music at the Marcy”. For more detailed information about Fools Like Us contact them at www.foolslikeus.com or check them out on their facebook page.

Membership Drive at the Parkside Lodge 3.11.11

2011-03-09T11:17:00.000-05:00

Whether you bike, run, walk, golf, play, bird watch or just relax – the Buffalo Olmsted Park & Parkway System is yours to enjoy! It is our mission to restore and maintain the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed green spaces for you and the entire community.
We want Buffalo residents to enjoy the rich recreational experiences and natural resources that our parks have to offer – that’s why a Membership with Buffalo Olmsted Park and Parkway System will get you all of the following:

Individual Membership ($35/year):
• Advance notice and great discounts to many Olmsted events and activities
• A subscription to The Leaflet newsletter, so you can stay up-to-date on all of the activities going on in our parks
• FREE summer boating on Hoyt Lake
• FREE ADMISSION for one person to the Music and the Marcy Concert Series
• Other park perks…

Family Membership ($50/year):
• EVERYONE in your household can enjoy all of the benefits of the Individual Membership for only $15 more!
• Additional Membership Cards available for family members upon request

On Friday, March 11th, 2011, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, we will be holding a Membership Drive! Come to the Parkside Lodge at 84 Parkside Ave to register as a Member and begin enjoying the benefits of your tax-deductible gift.

Help ensure a bright future for the parks.

Map of Parkside Lodge

Student Discount at Music at the Marcy

2011-03-07T14:42:00.000-05:00

With the Music at the Marcy concert series now in full swing, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce that we are now offering an admission discount to college students with valid student ID's!

Students with a valid college ID will be admitted to the Music at the Marcy concert series for $3. The remaining dates for the concert series are as follows:

-Fools Like Us (3.10.11)
-The Informers (3.17.11)
-Free Henry! (3.24.11)

Outer Circle Orchestra at Music at the Marcy 3/3/11

2011-03-03T11:30:00.000-05:00

Tonight, March 3rd, Outer Circle Orchestra will be performing at the Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Pkwy) as part of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks, “Music at the Marcy” concert series. Outer Circle Orchestra is a local band based in Buffalo that performs high energy music in the African-Caribbean, International, and World-Beat genres. Outer Circle Orchestra is comprised of John Allen –saxophone, Spenser Bolden-congas, percussion, Jim Burgess-trombone, trumpet, keyboard, Andrew Case -timbales, percussion, guitar, Rodney Chamberlain –bass, Reggie Evans –drums, Ed Handman –guitar, and Rick McRae-trombone. The tropical sounds of Outer Circle Orchestra will make you “feel good and move your body.” This is the band’s second year in a row performing at “Music at the Marcy”. For more detailed information about the Outer Circle Orchestra, contact them at oco716.info@gmail.com.

Check them out at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Outer-Circle-Orchestra/65712511418

Hoyt Lake Clean-Up April 16th

2011-03-02T12:18:00.000-05:00

Volunteer for the Spring Clean-Up 2011 at Hoyt Lake!

On Saturday, April 16, 2011, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy will be teaming up with Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper for a spring clean-up of Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park. This event will take place from 9am-12pm and volunteers are needed for helping remove trash from Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park.

The Hoyt Lake Clean-Up is part of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s Spring Shoreline Sweep. For those of you who are not familiar with Riverkeeper, over the past 15 years, they have organized biannual cleanups of local waterways to remove litter and other accumulated debris.

Where to meet: Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14222)

What to bring:
• Work Gloves
• Work Clothes (Including old sneakers or boots)
• Sunglasses or hat for sun protection
• Shovels, rakes, pool skimmers, pick sticks, garbage bags, etc.

Volunteer Incentives:
• Free stainless steel water bottle as a part of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s continuing effort to replace plastic, non-degradable water bottles (that could end up in our waterways) with reusable water bottles.
• Free volunteer BBQ immediately following the clean-up
o Where: American Legion Hall, 533 Amherst Street, Buffalo, NY 14207
o When: 12pm-3pm
• Perfect for community service hours

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information please contact volunteer@bfloparks.org or call 716.838.1249 ext 15 or visitwww.bnriverkeeper.org .

Call for Vendors at Our Music at the Marcy Series!

2011-02-25T13:28:00.001-05:00

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy invites you and your business to participate as a vendor for our Music at the Marcy Thursday Night Concert Series. Music at the Marcy is a five-week concert series that features a variety of musical acts performing in the historic Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Parkway) adjacent to Hoyt Lake. The Series runs every Thursday evening now through 3/24/11. This is the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s second year presenting Music at the Marcy and we’re very eager to introduce a retail element emphasizing the sale of locally produced wares.

Admission to each Thursday event is through a $5 donation, but free for Olmsted Parks Members. Music at the Marcy averages 200 visitors during each performance with guests of all ages.

If you would like to participate as a vendor at Music at the Marcy, you can register for any of the remaining event dates for a cost of $25 for each date. Your $25 rental fee secures you a vending space and a 6 foot table for displaying your merchandise.

Please follow the link below to find the registration form for vending at the Marcy Casino. The form also details the bands that will be playing on each date.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
sal@bfloparks.org
716-838-1249 ext. 33

We hope you decide to be a part of this year’s Music at the Marcy and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Volunteer for Plantasia 2011!

2011-02-23T14:12:00.000-05:00

Beat the winter blues! Volunteer with the BOPC!

Plantasia Garden and Landscape Show.
Plantasia is Western New York’s Premier Garden and Landscape Show.
Plantasia’s gardens and displays will inspire the best in home gardening.

For Plantasia 2011 the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy will be at the Hamburg Fair Grounds and we will need 1-2 volunteers per shift for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help us staff a booth. Job duties are light and include handing out literature and selling items. All volunteers will be working with an Olmsted Staff member. Shift Volunteers will have free admission once their shift is over.

We have a total of 11 shifts to cover.

Thursday March 24th, Friday March 25th and Saturday March 26th we have the three shifts.
Morning: 10:00am - 1:30pm
Afternoon: 1:30pm - 5:30pm
Evening: 5:30pm - 9:00pm

Sunday March 27th.
Morning: 10:00am - 1:30pm
Afternoon: 1:30pm - 5:30pm

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information please contact
volunteer@bfloparks.org or
call 716.838.1249 ext 15.

For more info about Plantasia 2011 visit http//www.plantasiany.com

Check out 4 in Tune & the JT Blues Band Feb.24th at Music at the Marcy

2011-02-16T13:30:00.000-05:00

A little about the bands

4in Tune, a local blues-based band has been rockin' multi-age audiences wherever they play. With a driving guitar sound, mixed with B3 organ and a solid rhythm section they come to impress and entertain their audiences with originals and tasty cover tunes. Performance highlights include opening for Jimmy Thackery, performing with Willie May (both blues legends), rocking the first Buffalo Powderkeg Festival, stunning a Blues Superjam crowd, and enlightening a Hamburg Music Fest audience with encore after encore! Selected by the Blues Society of WNY, 4in Tune had the privilege of representing our area at The 27th International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN (Feb. 2011). They have volunteered at various fund raising and community events, produced two CDs, been interviewed by newspapers, and featured on Channel 2 News (WGRZ), as well as local radio stations. 4 in Tune look forward to entertaining you at the Marcy Casino on Feb.24th at 5:30
4 in Tune are Evan Laedke(B3,LeadVoc )Jim O'Brien(G) Pete Brady(D,Voc) Owen Eichensehr(G,Voc) and Zen Maciejewski(B,Voc)

Check them out at:
www.facebook.com/4intune
www.myspace.com/4intune
www.youtube.com/4intune

The JT Blues Band, a Western New York based high energy Blues/Rock band that takes pride in their original music, but also features the music of many blues artists & blues/rock bands like Albert King, Allman Brothers, The Animals, BB King, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, SRV, Gary Moore, Robin Trower, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Traffic, plus many traditional blues covers. Definitely, not your typical blues band.
Joe Territo, Rick Baker, Rick Mcdonald, & Joe Scrivo are all experienced musicians that have a passion for this genre and perform some great original music.
Joe (JT) an experienced guitar player/singer/songwriter, studies music at Sedola Music & has studio experience. Rick Baker an experienced drummer is the heartbeat of the band with many years of experience. Rick Mcdonald is a professional vocalist that has also done stage and television acting. Joe Scrivo is very experienced playing bass in many different genres who brings plenty of original talent with is bass rhythms.
This band has many recent accomplishments. They came in 2nd place at the 2010 Memphis Bound Blues Competition. Three of their original songs are on WBFO’s Blues compilation CD’s. They just released a NEW original CD, called “21st Century Blues”, which is selling quite well worldwide (17 countries so far).

For booking call (716) 417-2430 or checkout their websites at: www.myspace.com/thejtbluesband, www.facebook.com/pages/The-JT-Blues-Band, email jtbluesband@bluefrog.com

Volunteer for Music at the Marcy!

2011-02-14T12:33:00.001-05:00

It’s February again, which means it’s time for another season of “Music at the Marcy”! Music at the Marcy is an all-ages 5-week Thursday night concert series that runs from Feb.24th through March 24th and features a variety of local musicians (blues, rock, world beat, etc.) playing at the historic Marcy Casino in Delaware Park.

How Does it Work?
Volunteers will get in for FREE, but are expected to work the event, but the work being asked for is REALLY easy. The shift will go from 5:00pm until 9:00pm and there will be snacks on hand but we do recommend eating beforehand.

What we’re looking for
We need 4-6 ticket sellers for front entry
We need 2-4 ticket sellers on the main level for food/beer/wine
2 people to serve non-alcoholic drinks

Where: Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14222)
When: Thursday nights from February 24th through March 24th
Time of event: 5:30pm-9:00pm

Dates/Bands for concert series:

Thursday Feb 24th JT Blues Band/4 in Tune
Thursday March 3rd Outer Circle Orchestra
Thursday March 10th Fools Like Us
Thursday March 17th The Informers
Thursday March 24th Free Henry

Those interested in volunteering should contact Steven Nagowski at volunteer@bfloparks.org or 716-838-1249 ext 15.

Artist Selected for Mural Project!

2011-02-10T17:00:00.001-05:00

THE BUFFALO OLMSTED PARKS CONSERVANCY ANNOUNCES ARTIST SELECTED FOR MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL MURAL PROJECT!

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy announces the selection of a lead artist for the installation of a mural project at McKinley High School as part of the Jesse Kregal Pathway Improvement Project funded through the New York Power Authority and Niagara River Greenway Commission. The committee has selected Augustina Droze of Los Angeles, California, based on her extensive national experience in mural painting, presentation, and proposal.

Ms. Droze was chosen by a panel of judges who reviewed presentations made by artists from across the country. The panel included, Thomas Herrera-Mishler – CEO and President of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Philip Ogle – Chair of the Buffalo State University Fine Arts Dep., Michelle Agosto – Supervisor of Curriculum in Art for Buffalo Public Schools, Louis Grachos – Director of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, James Pappas – Associate Professor of African American Studies in the UB College of Arts and Sciences, and member of the Buffalo Arts Commission, and Ted Pietrzak – Former Executive Director of the Burchfield Penny Art Center, and member of the Buffalo Arts Commission. Ms. Droze’s experience and artistic vision of a narrative mural of Frederick Law Olmsted’s life and work was best aligned with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s goals for the project. We look forward to working closely with Ms. Droze to develop a final design and associated landscape plan to successfully implement in the coming year. She is very happy to answer any questions from the media concerning the project.

For more information, please visit www.bfloparks.org

Who: The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

What: McKinley High School Mural Project

Artist Contact Info:
Augustina Droze
www.admuralstudio.com
P 312.848.1030 augustina@admuralstudio.com

Music at the Marcy 2011

2011-02-08T10:27:00.002-05:00

THE BUFFALO OLMSTED PARKS CONSERVANCY KICKS OFF THE SECOND YEAR OF THE “MUSIC AT THE MARCY” CONCERT SERIES

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce the line-up and dates for the second year of the Music at the Marcy concert series. Music at the Marcy is an all-ages 5 week Thursday night concert series that runs from Feb.24^ththrough March 24^th and features a variety of local musicians (blues, rock, world beat, etc.) playing at the historic Marcy Casino in Delaware Park. This year Music at the Marcy features the JT Blues Band & 4 in Tune (Feb.24^th), Outer Circle Orchestra (March 3^rd), Fools Like Us (March 10^th), the Informers (March 17^th), and TBA (March 24^th). In addition to an impressive array of local talent, Music at the Marcy will feature a beer & wine cash bar (proper ID required), food for sale by Magnolia Catering, and a number of local vendors selling their wares. Admission is $5 for the general public and free to members of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

Who: Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

When: Thursday nights from February 24^th through March 24^th

Where: Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14222)

Time: 5:30pm-9:00pm

What: Music at the Marcy is a 5 week all-ages concert series that features a variety of musical acts performing in the historic Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Parkway) in Delaware Park every Thursday evening from 2/24/11 through 3/24/11. Proceeds from the series go to benefit the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, (BOPC), is a 501c3 not-for-profit, independent, community organization that promotes, preserves, restores, enhances, and ensures maintenance of Olmsted Parks and Parkways in the greater Buffalo area to guarantee Olmsted park experiences for current and future generations.

Contact: 716-838-1249 ext 33 or sal@bfloparks.org

BOPC hosts a free seminar on invasive & destructive insects in WNY

2011-02-03T11:23:00.000-05:00

BUFFALO OLMSTED PARKS CONSERVANCY HOSTS A FREE SEMINAR ON INVASIVE & DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS IN WESTERN NEW YORK

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to host a free open informational seminar for Buffalo and the surrounding communities. The purpose of this seminar is to provide training & education for the detection, identification, and reporting procedure of forest pests, such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Long horned Beetle.

Who: Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

When: Wednesday – February 23^rd 2011

Where: Marcy Casino (199 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14214)

Time: From 6:00pm until 8:00pm

What:

A free open informational seminar for the community detailing the threat of harmful invasive insects on the Western New York Community. The agenda includes training for the detection, identification, and reporting procedure of forest pests, such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Long horned Beetle. The seminar includes refreshments, a PowerPoint presentation, as well as a Q&A session. Attendees should RSVP by email only!

Contact: Sal Sciandra 716-838-1249 ext 33 or sal@bfloparks.org

Get your Tail to the Buffalo Zoo!

2011-01-13T16:32:00.000-05:00

“Warm Up With The Cold-Blooded” at the Buffalo Zoo

January 15, 2011

BUFFALO, NY— Come in out of the cold, and celebrate “Warm Up With the Cold-Blooded” with your favorite scaly friends in the Buffalo Zoo’s Reptile House on Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Visitors will enjoy hot drinks as they listen to keeper talks, play games and watch handling demonstrations and feedings. All activities are free with Zoo admission.

The schedule of events is as follows:

11:00 a.m. Hellbender Headstart Presentation

11:30 a.m. Weight contest: Guess the weights of our endangered turtles, Tomi & Sully, and learn more about their confiscation story (prizes awarded)

12:00 p.m. Enrichment Keeper Talk

12:30 p.m. Snake Feed & Keeper Talk on Venomous Species

1:30 p.m. “Do You Hear What I Hear” guessing game (prizes awarded)

2:00 p.m. Animal Ambassador Pictures (Bring your camera to have a picture taken with a Buffalo Zoo reptile)

2:30 p.m. Hellbender Feed & Trivia Game (prizes awarded)

For more information regarding this event, please contact the Buffalo Zoo at (716) 837-3900.

Get Your Tail to the Buffalo Zoo

300 Parkside Ave. Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 837-3900 Fax (716) 837-0738

Internship available at the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

2011-01-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

Intern for Institutional Advancement

Duration: Spring Semester (Late January until Early May)

Duties Include but are not limited to:

Assistance in building a comprehensive database of other non-profit institutions, lodgings, and notable cultural institutions in the area for the purpose of extending our visibility.
Helping in management of Raisers Edge database.
Assistance with the management of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s blog and social networking sites, including Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube. This may include the creation of content for the sites in the form of essays, reflections, and photographs.
Online research of varying degrees.
Help in day to day office duties including sending mailings & responding to email queries.

Qualifications:

A qualified candidate for this internship should ideally possess the following:

An outgoing personality and good communication skills
Strong writing and proofreading skills
Competence in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.)
Strong online researching skills
A personal computer (although not a requirement)
A working familiarity with social networking including Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger.
Attention to detail to work reliably in Raisers Edge.

Benefits:

An intern for institutional advancement will:

Gain an understanding of the day to day workings of a professional not-for-profit institution
Gain experience in the Raisers Edge program
Gain experience in data entry
Improve and understand the significance of social networking in the workplace
Develop important writing & word processing skills for future employment

Interested candidates should contact Steven Nagowski at volunteer@bfloparks.org or 716-838-1249 ext 15.

2 Mile Run, Snow Sprint Bike Race, Snowshoe Softball, and Kickball Tournament Sign-Up!

2010-12-30T10:42:00.000-05:00

You can now register for a multitude of winter events for this year's winter festival, FLURRIOUS! in Delaware Park! Events include the Fleet Feet Sports Flurrious Forecast 2 Mile Fun Run, Campus Wheel Works Snow Sprint Bike Race, Snowshoe Softball Tournament, Snow Golf, and Snow Kickball Tournament. Check out the links below!

Fleet Feet Sports Flurrious Forecast 2 Mile Fun Run

Snow Sprint Bike Race Registration

Snow Beach Tennis at FLURRIOUS!

2010-12-28T11:14:00.000-05:00

FLURRIOUS SNOW "BEACH" TENNIS TOURNAMENT

in cooperation with Buffalo Beach Tennis and Beach Tennis USA

Saturday and Sunday January 15th & 16th, 2011 at Delaware Park's Parkside Lodge

(84 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214)

All Doubles
Saturday Schedule 10am-3pm

Events:
Men's Doubles (Amateur) Saturday 10am
Women's Doubles (Amateur) Saturday 10am
Men's Open Doubles (4.0+ Tennis Players) 11am
Women's Open Doubles (4.0+ Tennis Players) 11am

Sunday Schedule 10am-3pm
Events:
12U Junior Co-ed Doubles Sunday 10am
14U Junior Co-ed Doubles Sunday 10am
Mixed Doubles (Amateur) Sunday 11am
Mixed Doubles Open (4.0 + Tennis Players) 11am

Cost: All players $15 with portion of proceeds to benefit Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
PADDLES WILL BE PROVIDED, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
Please call Dan Johnson 716-725-8803 to register
Deadline is January 13th, make checks payable to PLAY TEAM TENNIS NEW YORK

www.facebook.com/buffalobeachtennis

Snow Golf Tournament!

2010-12-20T12:45:00.001-05:00

Delaware Park Meadows Golf Course

FLURRIOUS! SNOW GOLF TOURNAMENT

Sunday, January 16, 2011 11:00AM – 3:00PM

Cost: $5 per golfer - $10 per team

TO SIGN-UP, Contact Dave Hoover @ 838-1249, x19 or email: dave@bfloparks.org

Snow Golf Rules: “HAVE FUN!!”

Game Play

- 3 hole course (Delaware Pk. holes 2, 9 & 10). Golfers will play two rounds

for a 6 hole total score.

- Two player teams using “Best Ball” format to earn one score per hole. (Max. 8

strokes per hole).

- Teams will be paired for honor scoring.

Regular Play

- Only 3 clubs allowed per team. (Steel shaft recommended due to cold temperatures). If use a putter as 1 of your clubs, any shaft is okay. BOPC Golf will provide a selection of clubs for those who do not wish to use their own.

- Pink platform tennis balls (provided by BOPC Golf) will be used. If lost a $2 replacement fee must be paid for your team to continue.

- Mark your own ball in an identifiable manner. Play your own ball.

- Players may create/build a “Tee” (out of snow) on the tee box only.

- Winter rules are in effect. You may lift, clean and place ball back down. Ball must be placed within 1 foot of original lie no closer to the hole.

Greens Play

- Poles with flag identifies each green / hole.

- NO Grooving or Trenching of snow to form ball channel is allowed.

- Holes themselves will be 16” in diameter marked by a deflated bicycle tube.

Ties

- Final score tie-breaker will be closest to the pin shoot-out once all teams have completed the last hole.

- Each team will select one player.

- All selected players will hit at the same time & closest to the hole wins the tie.

All other standard PGA golfing regulations apply.

In case of any Disagreements, ALL decisions by the BOPC Golf are final.

Start a new holiday tradition with Olmsted Nights Winter Lights!

2010-12-15T11:21:00.000-05:00

Olmsted Nights Winter Lights is now fully in swing and started off as a success! If you are looking for something to make the holiday season even more special, come enjoy the only energy-efficient theatrical lighting show in Western New York - the cost is only $20 per carload or $5 per pedestrian.

Olmsted Nights Winter Lights is going on every Wednesday through Sunday until January 15th from 5pm-9pm. To add to the winter wonderland experience, there will be carriage rides and an ice skating rink! While you are here, stop in the Parkside Lodge which features a unique holiday gift shop, goodies from the Lunchbox Cafe, weekly holiday karaoke, cooking decorating, live holiday music, and a cozy fire!

For more information, contact (716) 838-1249 x33 or check out the Olmsted Nights Winter Lights Facebook! http://tinyurl.com/OlmstedNights

Here are a couple maps of the event grounds - take the subway or carpool!

Statue of Dave Bulb Plantings

2010-11-29T15:43:00.000-05:00

On Saturday November 20th The BOPC with the help of 7 local volunteers planted 800 rose scented daffodil bulbs around the base of the Statue of David in Delaware Park. The conservancy would like to give an extended thank you to these volunteers for donating their precious time to help enhance the beauty associated with this historic statue while improving the park and parkway system as a whole. Come out next spring and enjoy the fruits of this great work by these volunteers.

2011 Buffalo Olmsted Parks Golf Leagues and Tournaments/Outings

2010-11-24T10:42:00.003-05:00

Golf leagues and outings are another great way for BOPC golfers to enjoy the game while socializing and relaxing in the beautiful Olmsted Park’s surroundings. Our three golf courses (Delaware Park Golf Course, Cazenovia Park Golf Course, and South Park Golf Course) have a tradition of hosting many evening leagues, as well as weekday and weekend tournaments. Our men’s, women’s and senior’s golf clubs have played and supported these golf courses for years and have played an integral role in them. In 2011, we will also offer other leagues for men and women at the Delaware Park & South Park golf courses.

Therefore, we would like to invite your company, group, or organization to start a summer golf league. Alternatively, you may also want to consider joining one of the men’s, women’s or senior’s clubs at Cazenovia Park, South Park or Delaware Park golf courses or the Co-Ed 9 Hole or Parent & Child/Family leagues. Read on to find out how!

Here’s how it works:

Request for league play and golf outings will be accepted for review starting after January 1st, 2011. Please call or send request containing the following information:
• Organization or group name with contact name, phone number and address
• Golf course being requested with date and tee time(s) being reserved
• Approx. number of players
Send request to:
Buffalo Olmsted Parks – Golf
84 Parkside Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14214
Or call Dave Hoover, Golf Operations Mgr. at 838-1249, ext. 19 or email dave@bfloparks.org.

The details:
- Request for league play will be accepted and reviewed for weekdays for any time slots.
- Request for tournaments or outings will be accepted and reviewed for any day and time.
- Request for league play should be made a MINIMUM of 60 days in advance. Request for holding a golf outing should be made a MINIMUM of 30 days in advance.
- Date and tee time rental is $55.00 per hour, plus green fees for golfers.
- Green fee discounts are offered for golf league and golf outing participants.
- Upon confirmation of the league, you must immediately submit a security deposit of $100.00. Full payment for a league must be made 30 days prior to the start. League green fees will be collected each week by the starter/fee collector.
- Upon confirmation of a golf outing, you must immediately submit a security deposit covering the tee time reservation. Tournament player’s green fees will be collected the day of the event by the starter/fee collector. Additional players may be added and paid for the day of the event.

Other considerations:
- All alcoholic beverages on the golf course must be purchased from the concessionaire in the golf house at Cazenovia Park & South Park golf courses.
- When holding a golf outing, you must work with the golf course concessionaire if you plan on holding your after-golf party, food & beverage at the golf course.
- Power carts will be available for league & golf outing events at Cazenovia Park and Delaware Park courses. Power carts can be made available for golf outings at South Park golf course with prior notice to the BOPC golf operations manager.
- If you would like help with the total planning of a golf event, please contact our golf operations manager, Dave Hoover at 838-1249, ext. 19 for information.

Delaware Park & South Park golf courses – Co-Ed 9 hole golf league

In 2011, Delaware Park & South Park golf courses will offer Co-Ed golf leagues run in-house, open to individual guys and gals, couples, or small groups looking to play some golf together in a fun atmosphere. The preliminary plans are to run these leagues starting at 5:30PM (South Park course, Monday evenings; Delaware Park course, Wednesday evenings).

- The league(s) will run for 12 weeks; May 16th thru August 15th except for Memorial Day, May 30th (Monday) and July 4th (Monday).
- The cost is $8 per week. 12 weeks x $8.00 = $96.00 per player (includes green fees, weekly set tee-time & end-of-season appreciation party).
- $25.00 deposit for each player will be collected when signing up and balance due by 5/6/2011.
- Scorecards will be collected and friendly competition challenges will be added.
- There will be a closest-to-the-pin winner each week with a prize donated by BOPC golf.
- Each league will be limited to the first 36 golfers that sign up.

Delaware Park golf course Parent & Child / Family 9 hole golf league
- The league will run for 6 weeks; Tuesday evenings, July 5th – August 9th, 5:30PM.
- The cost is $8 per adult and $6 per child (age 16 or less). 6 x $8 = $48 per adult and 6 x $6 = $36 per child. Includes green fees and weekly set tee time.
- $25 deposit for each parent & child or family will be required at registration and balance due by June 17, 2011.
- This league will be limited to the first 32 golfers to sign up.

- To sign up for the co-ed or family league, send your name, phone # & email address to:
Dave Hoover, Golf Operations Manager
Buffalo Olmsted Parks – Golf
84 Parkside Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14214
You can also email dave@bfloparks.org or call at 838-1249, ext. 19

The BOPC Announces The First Theatrical Light Show In Western New York And A New Winter Festival, Flurrious!

2010-11-22T14:53:00.000-05:00

Today the official announcement went out for Olmsted Nights Winter Lights the first energy efficient theatrical lighting show in Western New York. Taking place in the historic Delaware Park along Parkside Ave. including the Parkside Lodge this event will use over 50,000 LED, solar, and other energy efficient lights in a theatrical lighting display. Today's press conference took place inside the Parkside Lodge to provide a media preview which included the ceremonial relighting of the fireplace for the first time in 50 years. The lodge was also decked out in holiday decorations similar to how it will look during Olmsted Nights Winter Lights. Live music was performed by O'Connell & Company Productions and Eden Carriage Company gave a preview of the carriage rides that will be available to enhance the experience. Olmsted Nights Winter Lights is made possible by our generous sponsors, First Niagara, National Grid, and Wegmans

Requests for Art Proposals for the Scajaquada Tail/Jesse Kregal Pathway Mural Project

2010-11-12T14:49:00.000-05:00

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is accepting proposals from artists for a mural to be painted on the 10’ x 210’ retaining wall behind McKinley High School (1500 Elmwood Ave) as part of a project to enhance the Scajaquada Trail/Jesse Kregal Pathway. The selected artist will oversee and lead the creation of the mural with McKinley High School students, interns, and volunteers. They will work with the Conservancy’s landscape architects to prepare a landscape and lighting plan to compliment the design.

Who: Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Niagara River Greenway Commission, Buffalo Public Schools

When: Proposals due November 19, 2010 4:00pm

Where: Submit proposals to the Parkside Lodge, 84 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214

What: Requests for proposals for the creation of a new work of public art to be affixed permanently to the 10’ x 210’ retaining wall behind McKinley High School. Artists must provide a drawing or other rendering, to scale, that clearly depicts the image proposed for the wall and a 500 word or more description of the work. Other requirements include: a timeline with major benchmarks identified by date, student/community volunteer participation plan, detailed budget for materials & labor (total budget is $25,000 including artists fees), resume for lead artists & any major collaborators, and examples of similar previous public work & references. Considerations include

· Horticultural concept for the setting of the mural is not required but strongly encouraged

· Recommendations and solutions for graffiti prevention, including potential materials and techniques, are welcome

· Proposals may dictate the extent of removal of overgrowth at the base of the wall (brush, grass, vines, trees) as well as any landscape improvement suggestions

All submissions must be received at the Parkside Lodge, 84 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214 no later than 4pm on 11/19/10. For further information contact Tom Mead, Associate Landscape Architect with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy at tmead@bfloparks.org or 716-609-0449.

Rentals at Olmsted

2010-11-05T15:03:00.001-04:00

The Parkside Lodge and Marcy Casino are now available to rent for your next occasion! These unique facilities are great not only for parties, weddings and other ceremonies, but business meetings as well.

The Marcy Casino, located at 199 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14222, overlooks the scenic Hoyt Lake. The view from the Marcy is one of the best in Buffalo, offering views of the 350-acres of Delaware Park, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, and the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society. The Marcy Casino facility is complete with audio and visual equipment. See the pictures below for an inside look at the facility.

For a cozier atmosphere, consider hosting your event at the Parkside Lodge, 84 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214. Check out the pictures and see how the BOPC can help you create a memorable event at an affordable price!

For more information on renting out the Marcy Casino or the Parkside Lodge, call (716) 886-0088 or e-mail carl@bfloparks.org.

Cazenovia tree plantings, 10/30/10.

2010-11-03T10:39:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, 10/30/10, volunteers helped to plant close to 90 trees in Cazenovia Park in South Buffalo.

Columbus Parkway Tree Planting

2010-11-02T11:13:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, October 30th, Volunteers helped to plant trees in Columbus Parkway on Buffalo's West Side.

Sabres Green Team Tree Planting

2010-10-27T14:42:00.001-04:00

On Sunday October 24th the Sabres Green Team with the help of Buffalo Sabres Paul Gaustad and Mike Weber planted 50 trees in Riverside Park. Several volunteers from the community also assisted in the planting.

Walsh Insurance Group Tree Planting

2010-10-25T14:42:00.001-04:00

On Saturday, October 23rd, over 100 employees from the Walsh Insurance Group donated their time to plant 150 trees and dozens of flower bulbs along the ring road in Delaware Park. These new trees and their maintenance will be paid for by a generous donation of $50,000 from the Walsh Insurance Group and their subsidiaries.

HSBC and the BOPC join forces for the United Way Day of Caring

2010-10-20T15:49:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 200 volunteers from HSBC Bank helped to remove the invasive Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) plant from South Park as part of the United Way Day of Caring. This annual event is Western New York's largest community service event, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to complete hands-on, community service projects in Erie and Niagara counties. The Conservancy has consistently been the largest recipient of the Day of Caring volunteers! We would like to thank HSBC for their continued support of the park system throughout the years.

SABRES GREEN TEAM TO PLANT TREES AT RIVERSIDE PARK

2010-10-19T10:46:00.001-04:00

The Buffalo Sabres announced that they will team up with Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy to plant trees at Riverside Park in Buffalo on Sunday, October 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Sabres Paul Gaustad and Mike Weber will join Buffalo Sabres Green Team volunteers as they plant 50 trees around Riverside Park. The program is the first of many “green” initiatives that the Sabres will implement this season in an effort to make Western New York a better place to live.

The Sabres Green Team was established in 2007 and is designed to educate, inform and activate Sabres fans who wish to make a difference in their local community.

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy (BOPC) is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit, independent, community organization that promotes, preserves, restores, enhances and ensures maintenance of Olmsted Parks and Parkways in the greater Buffalo area to guarantee Olmsted park experiences for current and future generations.

Presented by National Fuel’s Conversation Incentive Program and proudly supported by our green partners: Chautauqua Energy, Modern Recycling and Integrys Energy.

Media and Press Event at MLK Park

2010-10-06T11:24:00.000-04:00

The Buffalo Olmsted Park Conservancy is proud to announce The Mind, Body and Art Stroll in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The event takes place on Saturday October 16th 2010 from 11am to 6pm. The Conservancy invites the community out for a day of family fun in the fresh air and sample activities to keep mentally and physically fit during the cold winter months ahead.

In conjunction with The Collective Buffalo and it's neighborhood arts based program, the BOPC's goal is to help at-risk communites realize that active and regular participation in theater, music, visual arts, and dance is an affordable and accessible way to prevent and manage diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease and arthritis.

The press release will be held tomorrow, Thursday October 7th, 2010 10:30am. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park