Another boost for the West Side comes in the form of a neighborhood park and playground. The project is centrally located in close proximity to People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH) properties and gardens, the Butler-Mitchell Community Center, as well as the Massachusetts Avenue Project’s Growing Green Garden and aquaponics hoop house. Phase II of park progress sees the playground relocated towards the back of the property with additional landscaping and park benches. The main entrance will also be reworked with an archway. One of the basketball courts will be removed and transformed into greenspace. Phase II plans (see below) also include the construction of a pavilion and creation of a multi-purpose sports field, all interconnected with pathways.
Up until this point, the park project has been a PUSH initiative. The organization has been working closely with The City in order to create a safe haven for families to congregate and partake in healthy initiatives. As you can see in the Concept Plan below, PUSH already owns a series of properties surrounding the park, and The City is also in the possession of a property that will allow visitors an alternate access point to amenities. “I own a home two blocks from the Park,” said PUSH Buffalo Board Member, Terry Richard. “I have four children and they have never played in this park. Two years ago, I worked with PUSH to get my neighbors together to make a plan for improving it. We’re thrilled to finally see our plan become a reality because we know what we need where we live! My children can’t wait to play in the park next summer.” Thanks to The City’s $119,000 investment, a sense of place is being created that will become a recreational destination for neighbors.
Grassroots activism has once again redefined what can be done to enhance quality of life initiatives on the West Side. These are the types of ‘low hanging fruit’ projects that also stabilize property values, since people desire to live close to maintained parks. “I got involved with PUSH two years ago when someone came to my door and asked me for my ideas to improve the park behind my house,’ stated PUSH Board Member Suzanne Montalalou. “I’d been frustrated for years that my teens were walking miles to find a better park to play in. I’ve been working with PUSH since then to make a plan for the Park, which includes ideas from hundreds of residents like me. Thank you to Mayor Brown, Andy Rabb and Council Member Rivera for carrying out our plan and recognizing that we know what we need where we live!”