Buffalo Rising Online

Jan 27th 2006, 12:01am By STEEL

If you have ever wandered the paths of Delaware Park along Parkside Avenue you probably have passed through a narrow space defined by these odd parapet walls (shown in the picture above). Nicely crafted of rough stone they seem somehow disembodied and without any purpose. You might ask why this little segment of non descript pathway warrants such a grand enclosure.

It turns out that these walls are the visible portion of a buried bridge that once crossed over a now hidden ravine. The ravine was created when stone was quarried from the park for construction various structures in the city. The park designer Frederick Law Olmsted took advantage of the site by creating an exotic and unique park feature that became known as the Quarry Garden. In its early days this garden provided a lush natural refuge from the city and this little bridge offered a wonderful vantage point to stop and contemplate. Over the years the garden lost its appeal as the pace of urban life sped up. Cars and efficient movement of goods and people became a higher priority. In the 1950's the garden ravine was filled in with material from construction of the nearby Skajaquata Expressway and was soon forgotten....except....for those stone walls. All these years those bridge parapets have stood as centurions waiting for the day when we might once again recognize the value of a small quiet place of contemplation such as the Quarry Garden.

That day might be nearing. Recently the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy announced that their first phase fund raising campaign had met with tremendous support and success. Having raised over $12 Million, the Conservancy has been able to initiate many programs and improvements in Buffalo's Olmsted Park System through private and volunteer efforts. The Conservancy's goal is to broaden awareness of, appreciation for, and investment in Buffalo's Olmsted Park System in order to enhance, restore and maintain this cultural treasure. In doing this they have made great strides and have forged unique collaborations with local government.

In 2004, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy entered a groundbreaking partnership with the City of Buffalo, Erie County and the Community that made the Conservancy the official stewards of the Buffalo Olmsted Park System, overseeing its management, operations and maintenance. The Conservancy is the first not-for-profit in the nation to manage a park system. Through the development of a 20-year Management and Restoration plan with guidance of its community-based Advisory Council, the Conservancy's experienced and professional staff is now revolutionizing the way common ground is cared for in Buffalo.

The conservancy has now embarked on their second phase of Park System improvements and fund raising. This stage has an equally lofty goal of over $12Million. Their goals*include restoration of original pathways and buildings as well as continued improvement and enhancement to wonderful projects such as rewatering the Martin Luther King Park wading pool. One of their long term goals also includes unearthing the Quarry Garden. This task will not be easy. Many unknowns may make the project infeasible. It will require Millions of dollars just for exploration and planning alone to determine the scope and viability of such a project.

Buffalo is fortunate to have a group such as the Olmsted Parks Conservancy. They provide the will, vision, and means to restoring and maintaining one of Buffalo's great treasures, its Olmsted Parks. However they can not do this without money and people. You can help assure that the Quarry Garden and the many other Park improvements and restorations are carried out to the fullest by donating your time and money to their effort. More information about this group and how you can get involved can be found at the Conservancy web site http://www.buffaloolmstedparks.org. Great cities are built by people who get involved. Perhaps this is how you can make a difference.

Post inspired by Barry Duerr. Click on images for larger versions of each picture.