Grant gives Main Street a facelift

The Village of Williamsville has received a $21,000 grant from the New York State Senate for various beautification projects on Main Street and in the village's parks.

The grant was announced Monday at the Williamsville office of Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-C-I-Williamsville, with Village Trustee Brian Geary.

"It's important to maintain beautification projects in the village," Rath said. "The state likes to be a partner with the village in projects like this."

The money will be used on six different projects, some of which have already been completed, including new fencing and tree and shrub planting in South Long Park and new park signs for all of the village's parks and Lehigh Trail.

Projects to be completed this spring are the installation of antique style benches and trash receptacles along Main Street and the planting of a perennial garden in Garrison Park. The village is also planning to add masonry planting boxes at Village Hall.

"Our parks need help because they're old and tired," said Geary, who is the Village Board's liaison to the Parks and Beautification committees.

Geary also noted that the beautification projects in the Village tie into the Williamsville Community Plan which stresses improvements to Main Street and a walkable connection between the business district and the village's parks.