Some of the strongest neighborhoods are build around parks. Parks are great for dog walking, relaxing, playing, hosting community gatherings, etc. At the same time, parks need to be kept up, or they can become troublesome. Dead trees, broken lights, graffiti, broken benches, etc. are all signs of a problematic park. Buffalo has beautiful well kept parks, and also has parks that are downtrodden. There are even parks that don’t appear to be parks. Take, for example, Pat Sole Park. Huh? What’s that? Apparently, Pat Sole Park is the large grassy triangle of land that is located at 888 Columbus Parkway at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Columbus Parkway (near the Peace Bridge and Niagara Street).
I’ve passed by this park countless times and never really thought about it, one way or another. In the future, that might not be the case. Mayor Brown, The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (“PBA”) have come to an agreement that the park will be adopted by the PBA. The PBA has stated that it will spend $300,000 to fix up the parcel of land, and will maintain it from now on. The money will pay for 30 new trees, the replacement of a chain link fence with a decorative steel fence, an upgraded playground, new picnic tables and benches, and new pathways through the park. If done right, this could add to the momentum that we are seeing along Niagara Street.
“The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority’s adoption of Pat Sole Park is another sign of the cooperative relationship between the City of Buffalo and the Authority. I’m extremely pleased the Authority will be making physical improvements to the park, a site which provides a key 1st impression to those entering the U.S. over the Peace Bridge. Not only will it be a welcoming visual attraction, it will also provide green and play space for residents of the Columbus Park neighborhood,” Mayor Byron W. Brown said.
While we’re at it, can we reconsider naming parks after politicians and high profile people in the community? The park should be named for the area where it is located, or something iconic nearby. In this day and age, maybe Peace Park is more fitting?
“I was pleased to approve this agreement between the City and the PBA,” said Council Member David A. Rivera stated. “Pat Sole Park has always been a frequently used park by families in the neighborhood and they deserve to play in and enjoy a beautiful park. I thank the PBA for their investment in the community and Mayor Brown and his administration for supporting the adoption of Pat Sole Park by the PBA.”
The work should be completed by the end of 2016.
“The improvements to Pat Sole Park are part of a larger $2 million Adaptive Landscape Management Plan being undertaken by the PBA to improve the aesthetics and air quality of the neighborhood adjacent to the Peace Bridge,”added PBA Chairman Sam Hoyt. “We are proud to participate with the City of Buffalo in improving the quality of life for the Columbus Park neighborhood residents.”