Buffalo Waterfront Allianceis (BWA) first meeting of The Winter Series took place last night at the CPO CLUB on Porter Avenue on the waterfront. For those interested in attending future meetings, mark the first Wednesday of the month to reconvene and discuss. The meetings take place from 6-7 pm at the CPO Club, located at the foot of Porter (next to the Buffalo Yacht Club), and are open to everyone.
State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt is excited to provide us with as much information that we need to meet our goals… so is Dr Reed Stevens, veterinarian for the Dog Park idea… queenseyes has got his camera to record the meetings… Justin has ideas on how Blue Bikes will champion future bike trails, and Jay’s Micro-Parks are well underway. An additional Jay, Jay Burney, hopes to re-realize his La Salle Park dreams, and many more who met last evening would like to revisit and reconstruct the Friends of La Salle Park Initiative. Jay was instrumental in his Times Beach initiative, so we are blessed with having both experience and spirit already on-board!
La Salle Park is Buffalo’s largest, underutilized, prime waterfront park. What changes on La Salle Park do YOU want to see? Do you want to see the roads ripped up at La Salle Park?. Or the reintroduction of a La Salle Park eatery, done right? Or the re-opening of the La Salle boat ramp? Does the park need more shrubs, or fountains, or activity-related programs, or scenic attractions? What about better access and walkways and waterfront delights? Maybe. What we do know is that this park was once on the minds of City Hall. Well thought out plans lay dormant, just waiting to be revived!
Who benefits from LaSalle the most? There are residential concerns that must be addressed. There are quality of life and environmental issues at hand. We now know that there are monies available which we must vie for in order to secure what is best for all Buffalonians.
What group or groups will champion LaSalle Park and what do those groups represent? Friends of La Salle Parkis Re-Initiative CampaignOe Friends of Erie Basin MarinaOe Buffalo River friendsOe. Dog Parks of WNYOeBuffalo Micro-Parks InitiativeOe all of the above have expressed a great interest to turn this waterfront gem into a functional and scenic park once again. The more exposure that these groups can garner, the better chance that we will see these ideas come to fruition. The most exciting thing that came from last eveningis meeting is the realization that there are people who are willing to work for this park and its future. These are people who have spent their lives helping to promote programs that are already successful along our shores – sailing programs, environmental initiatives, etc. These groups welcome YOU to take part in reclaiming LaSalle Park.
Thereis so much we the people can do.
What is YOUR opinion?
We would like to hear your thoughts. What would you like to see taking place along our waterfront? Any questions and concerns will be brought up at our next meeting. We hope to see you there. Hey, this is also a chance to visit the CPO ClubOe one of the coolest places along our shores!