Minutes
Niagara River Greenway
State Park Standing Committee Meeting
February 26, 2010
Attendees
Mark Thomas, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Robert Daly, NY Power Authority
______________________________________________________________________________
Introduction and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Mark Thomas called the meeting to order at 2:02pm. After introductions around the room, Rob Daly moved to have the minutes from the September 4, 2009 meeting approved; Mark Thomas seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
125th Anniversary of Niagara Falls State Park Activities - $15,000
Angela Berti, Marketing and Media Specialist for NYS Parks made a presentation of planned activities commemorating the 125th Anniversary of NFSP (see attached). Some highlights are:
o April 30th, Faces of the Falls Art Project Unveiling
o May 7th, Release of the Commemorative Hard Rock Café 125th Anniversary Pin
o May 8th, Heritage Park Restoration Community Day
o July, August & September, History Comes Alive with Interpretive Historical Characters
o July 15th, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Concert
Rob Daly motioned to approve funding for $15,000, seconded by Mark Thomas. The vote was unanimous.
Rob Daly – approve Mark Thomas - approve
Restoration of Petticoat Park/Heritage Park - $10,000
Andy Giarrizzo, Landscape Architect for NYS Parks presented the proposal for Heritage Park. Highlights are:
Angela Berti added we already have commitments for assistance from the Boy Scouts, Niagara Beautification Commission and Niagara University.
Rob Daly motioned to approve funding for $10,000, Mark Thomas seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Rob Daly – approve Mark Thomas - approve
Public Comment
Next Meeting
The next meeting is to be determined at a later date.
Adjournment
Mark Thomas motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Rob Daly. The meeting adjourned
at 2:15pm.
125th Celebration of Niagara Falls State Park
(events listed as of 2/26/10)
MARCH
Saturday, March 20
Ice Bridges
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hard Rock Café
Learn about the fabulous ice bridges of the Niagara River and the many stories from years gone by. For information & registration call (716) 282-5154.
Saturday, March 27
Shining at the Hard Rock Café
2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Two of the lighthouses on the Seaway Trail are found in Niagara Region State Parks. A presentation and display will include Seaway Trail and Atlantic Coast lighthouses. For information & registration call (716) 282-5154.
APRIL
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join us at the Hard Rock Café as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Niagara Falls State Park. A presentation will include historical photos, facts and memorable stories. A walk in the park will follow. For information & registration call (716) 282-5154.
April 30, 2010
Unveiling of ‘Faces of the Falls’ Anniversary Art Project
10:00 a.m.
Niagara Falls State Park Visitor Center
Each year millions of people from around the globe visit the oldest state park in the nation, Niagara Falls State Park. This urban park, located in the City of Niagara Falls, is a source of pride for the residents of the community and Faces of the Falls, by Brian Nesline captures the mosaic of visitors and locals who make the Park the special place that it is.
Created during the summer of 2009 by the visitors to the
Falls, residents of the city and region; this mosaic of self portraits forms an
image of the Falls, signifying the people that make this world renowned icon
come alive.
*April 30 marks that date in 1885 that Governor Hill signed the legislation creating the Niagara Falls Reservation.
MAY
Saturday, May 1
April Showers bring May Flowers
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hard Rock Café and Niagara Falls State Park
This presentation at the Hard Rock Café will be on wildflowers with many interesting facts about them. Then join us for a walk in the park to search for these treasures that greet us each spring. For information & registration call (716) 282-5154.
Friday, May 7
Release of the Commemorative Hard Rock Café 125th Anniversary Pin
The Niagara Falls USA Hard Rock Café has designed a collector pin that will be much sought after in 2010! The pin is limited to 500 and will only be available at the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the pin will benefit Niagara Falls State Park.
Saturday, May 8
Heritage Park Restoration Community Day
9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Volunteers from the community join NYS Parks staff to restore Petticoat Park by staining the Gazebo, planting flowers and sprucing up this pocket park that is the gateway between the State Park and the City of Niagara Falls. Petticoat Park will be renamed Heritage Park as it becomes the home of monuments honoring the important people and historical figures that have contributed to both the Park and the City.
JUNE
Saturday, June 5
National Trails Day
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Niagara Falls State Park and Niagara Gorge
Get out your hiking gear and join us for a fun-filled hike along the Niagara Gorge. We will begin our hike at Devil’s Hole State Park and end up at the Horseshoe Falls! National Trails Day is an annual event celebrated across the United States. For further information: http://www.americanhiking.org/
For program information & registration call (716) 282-5154.
Saturday, June 12
Lower River Niagara
Power & Industry Trail Hike
12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Niagara Falls State Park
Learn about power and industry as we hike into the Niagara Gorge to the ruins of the former mills and power stations. For information & registration call (716) 282-5154.
Friday, June 18
Goat Island Walk
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Niagara Falls State Park
Calling all walkers! Join a park naturalist to explore the oldest state park in the United States. Learn and discover interesting facts and stories surrounding Niagara Falls. Join us and see what you have been missing. For information & registration call (716) 282-5154.
Friday, June 25
Beyond the Barrel “Celebrate Niagara Falls State Park” Art Exhibit Opening and Premier of the documentary“125Years of Niagara Falls State Park: An Oral History”
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Niagara Arts and Culture Center
“Celebrate Niagara Falls State Park” is the theme of this annual local art exhibit. The show consists of art of all mediums that is inspired by Niagara Falls State Park. The show runs through August 22.
In addition, the world premier screening of “125 Years of Niagara Falls State Park: An Oral History“ will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Grand Theatre.
This 28 minute documentary features the memories of people who have spent time at Niagara Falls and have witnessed some of the most awe inspiring, historical and exciting events to have happened over 125 years. The film, produced by Niagara County Community College and NYS Parks features stories about the Miracle of Niagara, the day the Falls went dark and why we should be proud of the wonder in our own backyard.
JULY
July 3, 4, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20 and 24
History Comes Alive!
Tuesdays 11-4 and Saturdays 12-5
Annie Edison Taylor, Frederick Law Olmsted, Nikola Tesla, Father Louis Hennepin and others who spent time at Niagara Falls State Park share their stories with visitors. Meet these colorful characters in person and hear their first hand tales of the legends and adventures that shaped this historic park.
Thursday, July 15
The Celebration
July 15, 1885 was the day NYS Governor Hill accepted the Reservation in the name of the State and dignitaries from around the nation and Canada came to Niagara to be a part of history! A concert by the Buffalo Philharmonic in the Meadow followed by a fireworks display will mark 125 years of free access to this magnificent treasure.
AUGUST
August 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 and 30
History Comes Alive!
Tuesdays 11-4 and Saturdays Noon-5
Annie Edison Taylor, Frederick Law Olmsted, Nikola Tesla, Father Louis Hennepin and others who spent time at Niagara Falls State Park share their stories with visitors. Meet these colorful characters in person and hear their first hand tales of the legends and adventures that shaped this historic park.
SEPTEMBER
September 3, 4 and 5
History Comes Alive!
12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Annie Edison Taylor, Frederick Law Olmsted, Nikola Tesla, Father Louis Hennepin and others who spent time at Niagara Falls State Park share their stories with visitors. Meet these colorful characters in person and hear their first hand tales of the legends and adventures that shaped this historic park.
Saturday, September 18 and 25
Sketching at Niagara Falls
1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Buffalo’s Locust Street Art Center celebrates their 50th Anniversary by providing learn to sketch classes to visitors of Niagara Falls State Park. These free lessons will take place on Three Sisters Island.
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 2
Sketching at Niagara Falls
1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Buffalo’s Locust Street Art Center celebrates their 50th Anniversary by providing learn to sketch classes to visitors of Niagara Falls State Park. These free lessons will take place on Three Sisters Island.
Friday, October 15-Sunday, October 17
The Greater Niagara Frontier Council celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouting with their annual Fall Camporee on Goat Island.
ONGOING
Charles Rand Penney Collection of Historical Niagara Falls Prints
Online at the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University Website
http://purple.niagara.edu/cam/Niagara/impressions.html#Index
An avid collector who devoted his life to the pursuit of art, Dr. Charles Rand Penney collected 833 prints of Niagara Falls, including the first print of the Falls, Father Louis Hennepin's Chute d'eau de Niagara (1698). In 1993, the Castellani Art Museum first displayed a portion of this collection, which is the largest of its kind in the world.
Dr. Penney eventually donated two-thirds of his collection to the Castellani Art Museum and the Museum purchased the remaining one-third. The collection, which now includes 984 pieces, was donated to the Castellani because Dr. Penney believed that the prints should be kept near the falls so that visitors from around the world could see and appreciate them.
The Charles Rand Penney Collection of Historical Niagara Falls Prints is full of images that reflect the historic and cultural changes that have taken place since the seventeenth century, and illustrate the significance of Niagara Falls to American History.
**all events are subject to change
Thank you to the 125th Planning Committee:
Mary Burich-Delaware North
Trudy Christman-Niagara Arts and Cultural Center
Deborah Curtis-Niagara University
Mayor Paul Dyster-City of Niagara Falls
Donna Gioia-New York State Parks
Paul Gromosiak-Historian
Cindy Harris-New York State Parks
Keith Jedlikowski-Delaware North
Allan Jemieson-NETO
Craig Johnson-City of Niagara Falls
Kathie Kudela-Niagara Arts and Cultural Center
Victoria Meyvis-Niagara University
Gil Perez-Destination Cinema
Ron Peters-New York State Parks
Carol Rogers-New York State Parks
Tim Ruddy –Maid of the Mist
Kate Scaglione-Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation
Barry Virgillio-New York State Parks
Tom Yots-City of Niagara Falls Historian