Erie County Legislature Majority Leader Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda) recently presented a check for $22,000 to the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy to provide landscape services for the zone gardener management system in Delaware Park.

The funding granted by Legislator Marinelli will help provide two of the zone gardeners in high visitor and visibility areas in Delaware Park with landscaping resources such as equipment, plant material, supplies and tools to help ensure the zone gardeners provide the highest level of maintenance and care to the Hoyt Lake/Rose Garden Zone and the Concession/Athletic Field Zone.

"For some time now I have advocated for County oversight of our regional treasure, the Olmsted Park System," Majority Leader Marinelli said. "I was pleased to support this transition earlier this year with the County assuming operation and maintenance of the Buffalo parks, with assistance and cooperation from the Olmsted Conservancy."

Majority Leader Marinelli also provided $50,000 in funding in 2002 for the study that led to the development of the zone gardener management system in Delaware Park, which is located in the 11th District, which she represents.

The Hoyt Lake/Rose Garden Zone, which includes the Hoyt Lake Casino, the area for Shakespeare in the Park and is adjacent to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, will be the site of a boat concession and new playground. The Concession/Athletic Field Zone includes a concession area. The Olmsted Parks Conservancy will take over the boat concession this summer, maintain the athletic field concession area and manage both areas.

"This funding will support actions to improve our quality of living for city and suburban residents of Erie County, all users of Delaware Park, this shining example of cooperation between the county, city and conservancy," Legislator Marinelli said. "The work will also assist in improving opportunities to raise revenues for users of certain features in the park."

Deborah Ann Trimble, Executive Director of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, thanked Legislator Marinelli for her dedication to the parks.

"Your commitment to the public good, to the beautification of our city and to the mission of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy fills us with pride and confirms our belief that we are increasing the quality of life and the economic and cultural vibrancy of the region," Trimble said (in a letter to Legislator Marinelli). "We will steward your investment well."

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