County parks planning, improvement efforts need review
Our regional parks are public assets and attractions that require preservation, improvement and multiyear planning.

LYNN MARINELLI Legislature Chairperson

The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry is responsible for the development, operation and maintenance, design and construction of all county parks and recreation facilities. These facilities include two golf courses, 11 county parks, two beaches, three Buffalo River Urban Parks, and 3,500 acres of county forest land, as well as five county-undeveloped parks. It also has the responsibility of operating and maintaining the City of Buffalo Parks system of approximately 1,800 acres, which are mostly Olmsted Parks.

The county park system provides year-round recreational facilities for county residents, including golfing, picnicking, swimming, hiking trails, camping, nature study and boating with boat launch facilities. Many parks have specially developed facilities for winter activities, including skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding and ice skating.

The responsibilities of the department are fulfilled by two divisions that are budgeted separately. Revenues attributed to the operations of the department are derived from fees charged for golfing, camping and use of shelters. Other revenues are received from the rental of concession space at Chestnut Ridge Casino, Wendt Beach, Isle View and Ontario Boat Launch.

Currently, parks staff is undertaking major postwinter cleanup, and baseball and soccer fields are being prepped for use by local leagues.

The county executive's list of proposed capital projects includes improvements for the Chestnut Ridge Park Casino costing $750,000, the Wendt Beach Mansion for $150,000, and Times Beach and bicycle trail construction earmarked for $400,000.

The 2008 parks budget, which is more than $5 million of discretionary funds, also contains appropriations for lifeguards at beaches seven days a week this summer.

The new parks commissioner, James Hornung, is being encouraged to prepare a multiyear parks maintenance and improvement plan that includes yearly estimated enhancement costs. Multiyear planning and prioritizing projects will provide a systematic approach to improving park assets and scheduling of routine maintenance projects.

County parks systematic planning should be complemented by the proposed Buffalo Olmsted Parks 20-year Management and Restoration Plan. In addition, planning and operational assessments require review of the contractual agreement whereby the county manages city parks.

The Legislature's Energy and Environment Committee, chaired by County Legislator Daniel Kozub, D-Lackawanna, will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 17, to attain an update on the status of proposed 2008 park operations and more long-range restoration efforts. Of particular importance to constituents is addressing shelter reservations.

For general inquiries regarding the county parks, call 858-8355, and for city/Olmsted Parks, call 858-2284.