Today marks the first day of Buffalo Olmsted Park Conservancy’s summer activities at MLK Jr. Park. It’s the official opening of the five-acre MLK park splash pad, along with all of the summer vacation fun that revolves around it. The $4.5 million all-season water attraction – the historic Humboldt Basin – is the epicenter of summer-loving fun, starting today with the affectionately named Splish Splash Summer Bash.
“We are celebrating our 7th year of corporate partnership with BlueCross BlueShield in support of Olmsted’s historic Humboldt basin, and the 5th year of this splish splash healthy zone in MLK Jr. Park,” said Stephanie Crockatt, executive director, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “What a great achievement! This summer at MLK is very special place to be as we look to unveil the restored Casino, and I want to thank Mayor Byron Brown and the City of Buffalo, as well as the special funding provided by Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples Stokes. These types of public-private-nonprofit partnerships continue to make such a critical difference here at MLK, and across the Olmsted park system.”
Thanks to BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and the City of Buffalo, park-goers will find/found the following activities at the park during Splish Splash Summer Bash:
- BlueCross BlueShield Healthy Zone Cruiser
- Free face-painting
- Balloon art
- Arts and crafts
- Healthy snacks from Ashker’s and James Desiderio Inc.
“I thank BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy for partnering with my Administration to preserve and promote this world-class community attraction for our City residents and visitors to enjoy,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “We take great pride in the MLK Splash Pad and the many other community investments we are spearheading in Buffalo to enhance the quality of life for all of our residents.”
During the winter, the historic Humboldt Basin is a skating rink, but in the summer, its an enormous splash pad.
“Now that summer is officially here, we are ready to kick off another season of fun at the MLK Jr. Park Splash Pad,” said Julie R. Snyder, vice president, corporate relations, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the City of Buffalo to ensure that the community has a great destination to visit to stay cool and active all summer long.”
Beginning June 26, 2017 through Labor Day, the splash pad will be open everyday from 11:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. (weather dependent).