Category Archives: Environment

Brush Up Broderick 2023

Vision Niagara and Friends of Broderick Park invite you to our annual Brush Up Broderick – May 13th from 10am to 1pm.

Our park is the jewel of Buffalo parks. Let’s get it spruced up for the warm weather! We’ll be mulching and weeding.

We’ll have lunch and goodies for our volunteers. And, if the weather obliges, we’ll have music to keep you entertained.

Everyone’s help is greatly appreciated. We can’t do it without our volunteers! It’s always a fun event.

AND…if you’re ready to jump in sooner, be sure to join Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s Spring Sweep. Sign up here and choose Broderick Park from the list of locations. That’s April 22 @ 10:00 am.

It doesn’t have to be this way…

As seen in the image above, highway ramps dominate the western section of the Scajaquada corridor, Wasted land, cut-off neighborhoods and a polluted creek are a few of the conditions as a result of Rte. 198. As part of Scajaquada Corridor Coalition, we studied maps, collected input and envisioned a different landscape.

GBNRTC presented recommendations for the Scajaquada corridor and we couldn’t be more pleased. With the help of Stantec, a global consulting firm, they analyzed the region in terms of its people, rather than just cars. The data and analysis is available for examination on GBNRTC’s website. The preferred plan calls for a two-lane boulevard, connecting neighborhoods and Olmsted Park and the removal of these ramps.

Questions and comments can be made on-line. We’re pleased that Hal Morse, who led the project for GBNRTC, will be attending our January 24 meetup. Bring your questions and comments. Spread the word and your support for this generational change.

What’s next in the process?•Public engagement regarding recommendations •Assemble full report and documentation •Reconcile project to environmental review process and funding •Prepare a detailed traffic analysis to assess impacts of traffic diversion and recommend mitigation measures necessary to address the impacts •Obtain stakeholder and public consensus on the recommended mitigation measures •Determine projects owners and resource needs •Build Action Matrix of key stakeholders to implement all initiatives •Establish continuing mechanism to ensure timely completion of project

What is Possible for Scajaquada Corridor?

May 4th, 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Buffalo State Alumni Center

Four mobility scenarios will be presented. Roads, cars, bikes, people, water, land, neighborhoods, air, space, quality of life….the list goes on regarding the future of this corridor and our city. Public comment will be part of the decision making which is why we all need to be part of the process.

Presentation will be by GBNRTC.

Scajaquada Corridor Coalition has developed a vision for the corridor that is community based and compelling. Our Niagara Street corridor is impacted by the #198 which is why Vision Niagara is part of the Scajaquada Corridor Coalition and its vision.

 

Brush Up Broderick Returns!

Our beautiful Broderick Park is ready to be spruced up for summer events. Friends of Broderick Park is lining up a packed summer of music, art, and performance.

We’ll be at the park April 30, from 10 to 1:00 pm, weeding, mulching and tidying up. It’s work but it’s fun, especially because our volunteers are enthusiastic about the park.

We’ll have lunch and take-home goodies for our volunteers this year, thanks to a grant from Air & Waste Management – Niagara Frontier Division. And, once again, Rich Products has donated mulch!

Register here.

Evolution of Niagara Street

The folks at Company B are offering an evening for history and foodie buffs. Great combination! kerry trainor of kta preservation specialists will speak about the history of electricity, transportation, a female CEO and a working class neighborhood. It goes back to the battle for the terminus of the Erie Canal through today. It is a story of time, people, and place. 

March 30 @ 6:00 pm. Drinks and delicious food are part of the package. As well as interesting people! If you’ve been to Company B’s Tasting Room, you know the setting is beautiful and inviting. Register at this link.

BuffaloState Students

Lovin’ Those Volunteers!

Bengal’s Day of Caring

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Vision Niagara welcomed a crew from Buffalo State College for their Bengal’s Day of Caring. This terrific crew came out and learned about Niagara Street’s stormwater planters and green infrastructure from Scott Steinwald of the Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA). BSA was involved in the design of the planters and now has a terrific workforce program that handles the maintenance. Students participated in a cleanup of one Robert Rich Way and Broderick Park and learned about this terminus of the Underground Railroad from Tonya Davis of Vision Niagara. The Underground Railroad exhibit in the concession stand was open, so they toured that as well. Vision Niagara is thankful for the support of Buffalo State College in the care of these tremendous assets.

Emerald Shiner TLC

We recently learned that the Army Corps of Engineers will be initiating a project on Broderick Park that will slow the velocity of the current along the sea wall on the southern edge of the island. This will make it possible for the bitty fish, Emerald Shiners, to be more sustainable. Another benefit will be the reinforcement and repair for much of that seawall that has been deteriorating and causing erosion on the island. Baffles will be installed as seen in the illustration. Work will begin this summer and plans are for completion by the end of 2021.

For more information about Emerald Shiners, check out Buffalo State’s webpage.

Army Corps Engineer Timothy Noon:

The Emerald Shiner Passage Structure Demonstration Project seeks to improve habitat connectivity for the Emerald Shiner between the Niagara River and Lake Erie, adjacent to Broderick Park in the City of Buffalo.  This project is being undertaken in partnership with the US EPA as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The Emerald Shiner plays a critical role in the Lake Erie food web, and the fish and bird populations that depend on them.  The Niagara River velocity currently causes a barrier to the Emerald Shiner, however this project seeks to demonstrate innovative technology to allow for fish passage into Lake Erie.  The intent is to help restore fish and wildlife populations in the Niagara River and Lake Erie, while sustaining and improving the unique features of our local environment, and more specifically Broderick Park.

Broderick the Beautiful (with help)!

We’ve been collaborating with lots of partners to Brush Up Broderick Park. Can you spare a little time on Saturday, April 24? We’ll be there beginning at 10:00 am, weeding and spreading mulch. It’s looking so good and we want to make it shine for the summer season! Covid has shown how essential this park is to our community. Please help us make it better than ever!

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Shoreline Sweep includes Broderick Park as part of their clean up on May 1st. If you missed signing up for that, join us on April 24th!

Remember: masks and safe distancing is still necessary! Contact us at:  info@visionniagara.org if you have questions!

By the way, Friends of Broderick Park has plans for summer events, including Food Trucks! Stay tuned.