Project will convert downtown vacant lot into living classroom
The City of Niagara Falls and Greenprint Niagara, Inc. have partnered to submit a $25,000 grant application to the United States Conference of Mayors 2013 Gardens and Green Spaces Program. No matching City funds will be required if the grant is awarded. The application was submitted on October 26, 2012.
The project will convert a city owned vacant lot at 561 Third Street into a community greenspace with native plantings, a wireless internet hot-spot, and educational features to connect visitors to the region’s history and impressive natural resources. The site was selected because of its close proximity to the Niagara Gorge, the Third Street District, and the Niagara Aquarium. Pioneer Park will help draw visitors further into the City, give local educators another option for field trips, and provide a unique urban greenspace for all residents. It will also help stabilize the surrounding residential area. As a youth-focused space, Pioneer Park will help prevent sex offenders from being warehoused in the Park Place neighborhood. It will carry the same designation as a playground.
“My administration is committed to neighborhood stabilization, showcasing our natural resources, and community partnerships. The Pioneer Park Project brings all of those elements together, at zero taxpayer expense,” said Mayor Paul Dyster. “Tactical urban investments make a difference. We will continue to build momentum, and secure grant funding, to improve the downtown residential and commercial district. People around the country are talking about our approach. Pioneer Park, and continuing to work with Greenprint Niagara, Inc., and our partners, are more steps in the right direction.”
The United States Conference of Mayors grant application was supported by a wide-range of stakeholders including: Mayor Paul Dyster, Greenprint Niagara, Inc., Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, the New York State Office of Parks and Historic Preservation, Niagara County Legislator Jason Zona, Niagara Falls City Councilwoman Kristen Grandinetti, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, the Niagara Falls City School District, the Niagara Beautification Commission, the Niagara Falls Block Club Council, Niagara University: ReNU Niagara, the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, Niagara Falls Community Development, the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association, the Isaiah 61 Project, and the Niagara Aquarium.
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