Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
Niagara River Greenway
Riverside Park – Crowley Ave Shelter Project
1/24/14
Project Narrative
The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proposing the Crowley Ave
Shelter Enhancement Project in Riverside Park to the Erie County Standing
Committee of the Niagara River Greenway Commission for funding
consideration. Riverside Park is one of 6 major parks within the City of Buffalo
designed by the Olmsted Firm. With the construction of Riverside Park in 1901
the younger Olmsted Brothers were able to achieve something that Olmsted Sr.
had unsuccessfully sought after: a genuine waterfront park in Buffalo. (Att. 1)
Adjacent to the Niagara River Corridor, Riverside Park is accessible to the
Riverwalk recreational trail directly by crossing the Irene Gardener pedestrian
bridge. (Att. 2) The park provides a tremendous variety of recreational
opportunities. The completion of the RiverRock Gardens project in the summer
of 2014 will provide a dynamic ornamental landscape experience at the north
end of the park, along with the football field and ice skating rink. The southern
17 acres of the park, added in 1912, is an extremely active recreational center for
the Black Rock Riverside community. It is designed with four little league
baseball/softball diamonds, one tee-ball field, two tennis courts, and two
basketball courts. On any day of the spring, summer and fall the park is often
teeming with adults and children of all ages recreating in the park into the early
evening. The Crowley Avenue Shelter House and Concession was originally
built in 1956 as a shelter house for the adjacent playground and wading pool. In
the 1990s it was expanded to include storage and a concession for the nearby
baseball diamonds. (Att. 3) With these Greenway and park users in mind, the
existing restrooms and concession area along Crowley Avenue are severely
inadequate and in need of upgrading. The restroom facilities are dated and not
ADA compliant. In addition the associated playground at the shelter is in need
of replacement. The playground landscape, one of the mostly highly used in the
parks system, is home to Summer Food Service Program providing free lunches
throughout the summer. (Att. 4)
The proposed project will put on a new roof, bring the bathrooms up to
ADA standards, and do some minor work on the concession to enhance its
security and functionality. A pitched roof is proposed for the building for three
reasons: it is easier to maintain and less prone to leaking than the present flat
roof, it will enhance the present rather ugly appearance of the building, and it
will prevent local youths from climbing up on the roof and hanging out as they
presently do. In addition the project would include the replacement of the
playground elements and picnic tables at the shelter, refurbish the existing parks
signage along Crowley Ave and enhance the surrounding landscape. Native
plant species would be used exclusively to increase the vegetation of the park
landscape. (Att. 5 & Att. 6)
The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s vision for the Greenway has
been incorporated into the development of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks System Plan
for the 21st Century. The 21st Century Plan looks to place the Parks System within
the green infrastructure of the city, restoring and building off of the assets
brought to the region by Joseph Ellicott, Frederick Law Olmsted and the Niagara
River as Buffalo’s reason for being. Restoration of the park landscape and the
connection to the greenway at the Irene Gardener bridge was incorporated into
the 21st Century Plan as a part of the public process of the plan. This process
included 21 meetings of the BOPC Advisory Council, comprised of
representatives of a broad-based group of community organizations and park
users whose main purpose is to encourage and facilitate public participation in
the planning process. During this same 5 year period 6 public meetings were
held throughout the City as well as 15 meetings of the BOPC Long Range
Planning Committee of the Board of Trustees, who approved the plan. In
preparation for this proposal the project has been presented at a Black RockRiverside Good Neighbor Planning Alliance(BRRGNPA) meeting and a joint
meeting between the BRRGNPA and ReDiscover Riverside. As a part of the
ongoing Crowley Ave Shelter Enhancement project there will be additional
public vetting. (Att. 7 , Att. 8 & Att. 9)
Environmental Setting
The environmental setting of Riverside Park is that of a recreational
neighborhood park overlooking the Niagara River. The northern half of the park
constitutes the entirety of the original Olmsted designed Riverside Park
constructed in 1901. The southern half of the park, added in 1912, is mainly
mown turf, trees and athletic fields with multi-use pedestrian pathways
connecting individual elements. Day to day maintenance of the Park is at a high
level with regard to the general cleanliness, athletic fields and horticulture;
however capital investment in the existing user amenities is desperately needed.
Significant improvements are needed to maintain the high level of recreational
amenities the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the City of Buffalo strive
to provide City residents and Niagara River Greenway visitors.
The Crowley Ave Shelter Enhancement Project will comply with any and
all SEQRA regulations relevant to the project and while there are no sensitive
environments within the project area, the project will greatly increase the
diversity in the flora and fauna in the park. All necessary study of existing
conditions will be a part of the initial technical site analysis of the project.
Project Schedule
Spring 2014
•
Develop design plans and construction details for improvements.
•
Presentation of design development at public meeting.
Summer 2014
•
Refine design and create construction documents.
•
Bidding of construction documents with construction to commence at the end
of high use summer season.
Fall 2014 – Winter 2014
•
Construction as weather permits.
•
Project completion.
ATTACHMENT 1
RIVERSIDE PARK
1 : 2400 FT
ATTACHMENT 2
RIVERSIDE PARK
RIVERWALK CONNECTIVITY
1 :1000 FT
RIVERSIDE
PARK
BU
FF
AL
IRENE GARDNERER
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
O
RI
VE
RW
AL
K
NIAGARA RIVER
CROWLEY AVE SHELTER
& PLAYGROUND
ATTACHMENT 3
RIVERSIDE PARK
CROWLEY AVE SHELTER ENHANCEMENTS
PROJECT WILL REPLACE PLAYGROUND
ELEMENTS AND BRING RESTROOM FACILITES
UP TO HANDICAP STANDARDS
PROJECT WILL REPLACE SHELTER ROOF
AND REPAINT THE STRUCTURE TO IMPROVE
APPEARANCE IN THE LANDSCAPE
ATTACHMENT 4
RIVERSIDE PARK
CROWLEY AVE SHELTER ENHANCEMENTS
PROJECT WILL ENHANCE THE LANDSCAPE
BUFFER BETWEEN THE PLAYGROUND
AND THE STREET
PROJECT WILL REPLACE EXISTING
PROTECTIVE FENCING AND IMPROVE
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AND CIRCULATION
ATTACHMENT 5
RIVERSIDE PARK
CROWLEY AVE SHELTER - EXISTING CONDITIONS
ATTACHMENT 6
RIVERSIDE PARK
CROWLEY AVE SHELTER - PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS
PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS
- REPLACE PLAY STRUCTURES
- REPLACE PICNIC TABLES & BENCHES
- INSTALL FLAG POLE
- REPLACE PATHWAYS
- ENHANCE LANDSCAPE
- REPLACE FENCE
SHELTER IMPROVEMENTS
- REPAIR RESTROOM FACILITIES
- RECONSTRUCT ROOF
- REPAINT STRUCTURE
- IMPROVE EXTERIOR LIGHTING
T h e B u ff a l o O l m s t e d P a r k S y s t e m
— R e s t o r at i o n P l a n —
r i v e rs i de Pa r k
RESTORE THE HISTORIC INTEGRITY OF THE
PARK FROM THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE
ESTABLISH CONNECTIONS TO AREAS
SURROUNDING THE PARK
Project #1:
Reestablish the central Concourse
*Project #11:
Project #2:
Reinterpret the Minnow Pools
Develop safe connections between
Riverside Park and the adjacent
neighborhoods
*Project #12:
Extend the park connections to the
Niagara River Greenway and
Washington and Towpath Parks
*Project #13:
Restore park perimeter roads to
create more of a park-like setting in
the surrounding neighborhoods
REESTABLISH THE VISUAL AND PHYSICAL
CONNECTION BETWEEN RIVERSIDE PARK AND
THE NIAGARA RIVER
Project #3:
Relocate and redesign the
pedestrian bridge on its historic
alignment
Project #4:
Establish a pier on the Niagara River
where the new pedestrian bridge
lands
IMPROVE ACCESS AND CIRCULATION IN THE
PARK FOR VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS
Project #5:
Reconstruct Hotaling Drive
Project #6:
Improve parking along Crowley
Avenue
IMPROVE OR RATIONALIZE RECREATION
AND SERVICES
Project #7:
Improve existing playground
Project #8:
Rationalize and improve existing
sports fields
Project #9:
Relocate senior center, swimming
pool, and ice rink facilities
INTEGRATE THE ORIGINAL OLMSTED PARK
WITH THE SOUTH PORTION OF PARK
Project #10:
Enhance connections between the
original Olmsted park and the
newer section of the park
RESTORE THE BASIC PARK ELEMENTS
*Project #14:
Restore the park’s historic
furnishings
*Project #15:
Identify areas in need of lighting;
design and install lighting
*Project #16:
Restore and maintain public
restroom facilities
*Project #17:
Restore, maintain, or install drinking
fountains
*Project #18:
Rehabilitate Olmsted pathway
system
*Project #19:
Rehabilitate Olmsted roadway
system
*Project #20:
Introduce traffic calming measures
at park roads
*Project #21:
Install appropriate wayfinding and
branding signage
*Project #22:
Restore historic landscape patterns
and plantings, especially perimeter
vegetation
*Project #23:
Manage drainage and erosion
issues throughout the park
*These projects are not numbered on the map.
BUFFALO, NY
ERIE COUNTY
102
Buffalo’s Olmsted Park System
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. General Organizational Info: (See attached)
2a. Consultation with the Niagara River Greenway Commission
The BOPC submitted the Crowley Ave Shelter Project to the Niagara River Greenway
Commission in January 2013. The project was deemed consistent to the Niagara River
Greenway Plan as determined by the Niagara River Greenway Commission on March
19th, 2013.
2b. Consultation with City of Buffalo DPW Deputy Parks Commissioner Andy Rabb.
The BOPC has worked with Deputy Parks Commissioner Rabb extensively during the
period of preparation of this proposal.
3. Operations and Maintenance Plan
Riverside Park is maintained by the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy by way of a
Public-Private Partnership with the City of Buffalo for the maintenance and operation of
the Buffalo Olmsted Parks System. Seasonally there are three zone gardeners assigned
to maintain the grounds of Riverside Park. Additionally regular volunteer crews
provided by the Father Belle Center assist the gardeners with maintenance tasks
throughout the year volunteering ~2500hr of maintenance support to the BOPC
annually. The maintenance and care of the landscape enhancements, as well as the
general maintenance and inspection of the signage, monuments, playground and shelter
improved through this grant will be an ongoing part of the general duties of the
gardeners assigned to the park.
4. Consistency with NRGP
Riverside Park is located with the boundaries of the Greenway outline on the NRGP.
Below is a description of the project in terms of the Guiding Principles of the Niagara
River Greenway.
Principles
• Excellence – every project undertaken by the Buffalo Olmsted Parks
Conservancy is done with excellence. Within the scope of the project
would be securing a professional project team and utilizing only the best
in construction materials and methods in completing construction.
• Sustainability / Ecological Integrity – the project would be executed with
the agreed upon best practices in managing the landscape. The Buffalo
Olmsted Parks Conservancy has a commitment to sustainable practices.
• Accessibility / Connectivity – this project represents a key node along the
shoreline trail within the City of Buffalo, connecting the greenway to the
efforts of the Olmsted Firm in the development of the park and parkway
system within Buffalo along with a moment along the trail rich with
interpretive potential.
• Public Well-Being – the project is an important investment in a
community struggling with extreme disinvestment, and an underutilized
an appreciated asset at Riverside Park.
•
•
Restoration – this principle represents the cornerstone of The Buffalo
Olmsted Parks System: Plan for the 21st Century, as one of the 7 Guiding
Principles, and is in the forefront of everything done by the Conservancy.
Authenticity / Celebration – The investment in Riverside Park would
be in celebration of the extensive Olmsted legacy of this region.
•
Partnerships/ Community based – The BOPC has work extensively with
both the City of Buffalo and the local community stakeholders in
developing a vision for the restoration of Riverside Park as a component
of the Plan for the 21st Century. All components of the project enhance the
accessibility from the neighborhood and promote the site as a regional
attraction.
5. State and Federal Law
The Crowley Ave Shelter Enhancement Project in Riverside Park is in compliance with
all State and Federal laws and regulations
6. Matching Funds
No matching funds are currently identified for the Crowley Ave Shelter Enhancement
Project in Riverside Park.
7. Statement regarding the Use of Funds.
The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy will not use Greenway Funds to defray an
obligation existing as of August 31, 2007 or any operation and maintenance costs
associated with any project existing as of August 31, 2007.
8. Land Ownership
All lands associated with the Crowley Ave Shelter Enhancement Project in Riverside
Park are park lands owned by the City of Buffalo.
9. Project Budget and Cash Flow Summary (see attached spreadsheet)
Project Registration Number___________
Niagara River Greenway Commission
Consultation and Review Form
x
_______Mandatory
Consultation
Type of Review Required:
_______Voluntary Review and/or Endorsement
PROJECT SPONSOR INFORMATION
Name:
Thomas Herrera - Mishler
____________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:
84 Parkside Ave
____________________________________________________________
State:
14214
New York
___________________________
Zip Code: _______________________
Federal Id#
15-08-95
22-2720927
______________________
Charities Registration #__________________
PROJECT TYPE
Check all that apply:
x Environmental
____
_____ Cultural/Heritage
x Land or Water Public Access
_____
_____ Cultural
x Trail
_____
_____ Educational/Interpretive
_____Waterfront or Land Based Development
x Signage
_____
x Recreational
_____
_____ Other
Project Name:
Crowley Ave Shelter Enhancements
____________________________________________________________
Location:
Riverside Park
____________________________________________________________
Site Address:
2607 Niagara St
____________________________________________________________
State:
New York
14207
Zip Code: ________________________
___________________________
Minor Civil Division(s): ____________________________________________________________
County:
____________________________________________________________
Erie
Project Proponent Property Interest (own, lease, easement or other): _________________________
Manager and Operator
________________________________________________________________________________
7
AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL
Thomas Herrera - Mishler
President and CEO
Name: _________________________________________
Title: _____________________________
84 Parkside Ave
Business Address: __________________________________________________________________
New York
State: _______________________________________
Zip Code: _____________________________
14214
716.553.0899
716.838.1249 x 13
Telephone Number: ___________________________
Cell Number: __________________________
Fax Number: ______________________________________________________________________
716.835.1300
E-Mail Address: ____________________________________________________________________
PROJECT POINT OF CONTACT
Name: _________________________________________
Title: _____________________________
Greg Robinson
Landscape Architect
Organization/Firm: _________________________________________________________________
84 Parkside Ave
Business Address: __________________________________________________________________
14214
New York
State: _______________________________________
Zip Code: _____________________________
Telephone Number: ___________________________
Cell Number: __________________________
716.609.2009
Fax Number: ______________________________________________________________________
716.835.1300
[email protected]
E-Mail Address: ____________________________________________________________________
8
Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
Niagara River Greenway
Riverside Park - Crowley Ave Shelter
Project Plan & Disbursement Schedule
January 27, 2014
Total
Budget
Riverside Park - Crowley Ave Shelter
Design
Construction Drawing Preparation for Shelter Improvements,
Playground and Landscape Enhancements
$
Construction
Shelter Roof Reconstruction
Shelter Interior Renovations
Shelter Exterior Enhancements
Playground Replacement
Landscape Enhancements
Total Construction
Disbursement Number
2
3
1
39,000
$
39,000
150,000
150,000
26,000
131,000
132,000
589,000
$
-
$
4
-
-
30,000
-
71,000
30,000
-
729,000
72,900
-
131,000
132,000
263,000
35,500
35,500
30,000
-
729,000
39,000
361,500
328,500
(3,900)
(36,150)
(32,850)
$
729,000
$
35,100
Disbursement 1 - Quarter x
Design Fees (minus 10% holdback)
Disbursement 2 - Quarter x
Shelter Improvements, 1/2 Project Admin, 1/2 Maintenance (minus 10% holdback)
Disbursement 3 - Quarter x
Playground Replacement, Landscape Enhancments, 1/2 Project Admin, 1/2 Maintenance (minus 10% holdback)
Disbursement 4 - Quarter x
10% hold back at project completion
$
325,350
$
39,000
-
326,000
Maintenance
Total 2014 Greenway Funds
$
150,000
150,000
26,000
131,000
132,000
589,000
71,000
Holdback (10%)
-
150,000
150,000
26,000
Project Administration/ Supervision
(including Services during construction)
Subtotal
$
Total
295,650
$
72,900
$
729,000
March 19, 2013
Thomas Herrera-Mishler, President & CEO
Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
84 Parkside Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14214
Dear Mr. Herra-Mishler:
The Niagara River Greenway Commission is pleased to support the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s
“Project Consultation and Review” package for the following project:
Crowley Ave Shelter Enhancements
This project was deemed consistent to the Niagara River Greenway Plan as determined by the Niagara River
Greenway Commission. The subjective evaluations were been based on the principals, goals and criteria that
define the Niagara River Greenway Plan. I have attached the Commission’s comments and questions as well as
public comments received on the projects submitted during the deliberation timeframe for your use. The
Commission is pleased to support the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s project proposal and wish you
great success.
Respectfully,
Rob Belue
R.A. Belue
Executive Director
Cc:
Buffalo, Erie, Olmsted Standing Committee
Brian Dold, Landscape Architect
Niagara River Greenway 2136 West Oakfield Grand Island, New York 14072 (716) 733-5361 Fax (716) 773-5392
www.niagaragreenway.org