Projects Funded 2011

Host Community Greenway Fund Standing Committee - Projects Funded 2011

Kiddlieland – Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier $30,000

The Museum proposes to install 3 to 4 kiddie rides on a vacant lot adjacent to and owned by the Museum.  The project will grade the site, install decorative fencing around the perimeter, install concrete pads for the rides, provide the necessary electrical connections and install a picnic pavillion on site. 

Safety & Access Improvements at Marina Gratwick Riverside Park – City of North Tonawanda $300,000

The property is unsafe for public use and the City of North Tonawanda is committed to redeveloping the area to improve public safety and access to the waterfront.  There are immediate issues that need to be addressed which include public access, safety and aesthetics.  This project will include the removal of all exposed electrical service,  removal of all broken dock areas, bulkhead stabilization, boater welcoming signage and lighthouse reconstruction and public access trail to new picnic area.

Lytle Nature Preserve – Town of Lockport $94,802

Lytle Nature Preserve is the vision of William F. Lytle, who donated this parcel of land to the Town of Lockport in 2008. The majority of the property is protected under a conservation easement granted for the express purpose of preserving this natural landscape for future generations. The easement was granted through the Western New York Land Conservancy. The Preserve will provide educational opportunities and a place for relaxation with some site amenities such as interpretive signage and benches. In addition to the contract work that will be funded through the use of the grant requested from the Standing Committee, the Town of Lockport Highway Department will construct a portion of the planned improvements. The development of the Lytle Nature Preserve is being assisted by the New York StateCanal Corporation, which owns and operates the adjacent Erie Canal and the Canalway Trail. The Canal Corporation has approved a work permit, which expand the existing Canal Corporation parking lot, located on the south side of North Canal Road. The additional parking, The Town of Lockport will construct the parking lot expansion and an asphalt trail, connecting the Canalway Trail to the Lytle Nature Preserve. This connection will encourage Canalway Trail users and local residents to explore the Preserve. Lytle Nature Preserve is an opportunity to provide a unique naturalistic experience for the Town of Lockport, its residents and users of the Canalway Trail. Very few sites feature the variety of ecological communities and proximity to the historic Erie Canal that the Lytle Nature Preserve affords.

Lower Niagara River Road Comfort Station – Town of Lewiston $30,000
The Town of Lewiston would like to convert an old unused pump house into a comfort station along Route 18F which follows along the Seaway Trail between the Village of Lewiston and Old Fort Niagara. This unused pump house is located on the west side of River Road with a spectacular view of the Niagara River. The purpose is to rebuild the existing Gatehouse into a comfort station complete with a restroom, an observation deck with park benches, and appropriate landscaping to enhance the beauty of the scenic overlook that is second to none. In addition, the Town will construct a rain garden to showcase Lewiston's commitment to the environment and the Niagara River. We will work with the Town staff and committees to prepare the required site plan, floor plan, planting plan and standard details for a lump sum cost of $4500. This assumes electric, water and sewer are available at the Gatehouse and excludes any structural and environmental analysis of the building. Engineering and construction cost are estimated at $30,000.

Gill Creek Educational Nature Preserve Trail – Niagara Street Business Association $102,000

The Niagara Street Area Business and Professional Association, with the assistance of the Niagara Falls City School District (District) propose to expand a asphalt nature trail located in Gill Creek Park (Park) within the heart of the historic Echota district. The existing trail runs along the west side of Gill Creek extending approximately 450 feet from Niagara Street to Falls Street. This project will extend the northern end of the trail to Ferry Avenue and the southern end to Buffalo Avenue. The entire trail will be lined with plaques documenting the history of the area and describing the native plants and wildlife.