Buffalo’s first park could see significant upgrades beginning this year. The Johnson Park Restoration Fund (JPRF) was created to restore and renovate the historic, urban parkland located off South Elmwood Avenue in the Historic West Village. The charming green space was established by Mayor Ebenezer Johnson as Buffalo’s first park in 1837.
According to residents, this park is a focal point for the urban community that surrounds it and has the potential to become a significant amenity for the growing downtown residential population.
The West Village is culturally, economically, and socially diverse. Many lower-income residents depend on this parkland which is in need of an upgrade. The direct area of service includes a demographic of 12,000+ Hispanic persons with 29 percent needing ESL instruction, 39.6 percent living below poverty level, and 27 percent under 21 years of age.
Once restored, the park will provide education opportunities for area children to learn about the history and architecture, as well as botany and other green-environment lessons in a proposed conservatory.
Currently, the West Village Renaissance Group (WVRG) has completed Phase I of the park restoration project including a survey, landscape plans, blueprints and renderings. Funding for Phase I was a mix of grants and private donations.
The group recently received a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to create fund raising and marketing materials, including a new logo (below). Individual gifts have been received and a successful fundraiser was held at Choco-Logo in February. The WVRG plans to hold additional fund raising events this year. One possibility is an online sales campaign in cooperation with Choco-Logo.
Phase II plans include sod replacement and tree work; new curbs; a running track; enhanced lighting; two children's chalk walks; a meditation labyrinth; doggy stations, bike racks and other essential quality of life amenities. The project is one of the "Final Four" applications being considered for $100,000 in funding under the 21st Century Fund grant program. An award decision is expected in April. If selected, all of the Phase II elements will be constructed. Phase III would see the re-installation of a park fountain surrounded by a 25'x25'x15' Victorian conservatory.
Michael Morga of Peyton-Barlow has volunteered to manage the construction work. The group is working with Dr. James Williams to implement cultural, botanical, historical and geographic education programs that will be available to nearby schools once Phase II is complete.
Engineering students from neighboring Hutch-Tech may assist in the design of the rain cistern system along with wind and solar power for the conservatory. To fund Phase III, the WVRG hopes to sell naming rights for the conservatory.
The WVRG is also working to establish an endowment to assure upkeep of the restored park. Any unspent funds from individual gifts and corporate donations will be placed in a Johnson Park Endowment administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The park restoration plan provides a credible and sustainable investment in the West Village, rapidly developing west side of downtown and the city.
All work is expected to be completed in time for the National Trust for Historic Preservation conference in 2011.
