Athletic fields, boat launch, playground and more parking included in plans

As the saying goes, "The third time is the charm." And Parma officials would agree. After three applications for grant money, the Town of Parma recently received word that it will receive $252,250 from the Clean Water, Clean Air Bond Act and Environmental Protection Fund to expand the town park. The town is the largest recipient out of the 16 projects located in 11 counties in Western New York that also received funding.

"The town board and supervisor committed to this project three years ago and held fast to their decision," said Steven Fowler, director of Parks and Recreation. "This is going to mean a tremendous amount to Parma and the town park."

Fowler went on to say that he believes two features of the last application were key to its approval. "Our readiness to proceed with construction and the development of the lakefront property into a passive park were what made the difference this time," he said. The lakefront property was acquired from the United States Department of the Interior under the National Park Services Federal Lands to Parks Program. The .8-acre parcel will be used to develop a passive, rather than recreational park, with 200 feet of lake-frontage, picnic tables, benches, pathways and landscaping.

In addition to the lakefront property, two parcels adjacent to Parma Town Park have been acquired. A ten-acre parcel south of town hall was purchased from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Number 6105 and 42 acres southeast of town hall was purchased from Park Ridge (Unity Health System). The additional land will be developed to include six multi-purpose youth athletic fields; a building containing restrooms, a concession stand and storage space; a steel and plastic playground; a launch for small, non-motorized boats and kayaks; a pedestrian bridge over one of the ponds; and more parking lots and roadways. The plan also calls for the refurbishing of an existing soccer field for use as a multi-purpose field; extending one nature trail and refurbishing the existing trail; and installing parking lot and volleyball court lights.

The total cost of the expansion is $728,100. In addition to grant money, the town plans to use $75,000 from the general fund, then fund the remainder with volunteer and employee labor and money from organizations committed to the project. Fowler said the town hopes to begin construction this fall and have the project complete by fall 2002.