At today's (July 8, 2004) meeting of the Erie County Legislature, Legislators voted unanimously to approve a measure transferring responsibility for management of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens facility from Erie County to the Botanical Gardens Society.

"The Society has been a great asset to the facility, actively involved with efforts to maintain and enhance the Botanical Gardens," said Legislator Kuwik. "I think this a great example of a public-private partnership that improves services for Erie County residents."

Under the agreement, the Botanical Gardens Society will manage and operate the 11.4-acre Botanical Gardens site for a period of up to 25 years. Beginning September 1st, Erie County will provide the Society, $450,000 annually, for a minimum of five years, to operate the Botanical Gardens.

"With the help of the Botanical Gardens Society and their ability to solicit financial support not available to public entities, the Gardens will grow to be a premier cultural tourism destination," said Legislator Schroeder. "We have seen terrific success with these kind of management agreements evident locally with the Buffalo Zoological Society's involvement at the Buffalo Zoo and nationally with non-for-profit management at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens."

Erie County first assumed ownership of the Botanical Gardens, located in Frederick Law Olmsted designed South Park, from the City of Buffalo in 1981.

Back