Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
/I’m a lover of all things outdoors and my love for the parks grew stronger this past year when all I felt comfortable doing during the pandemic was taking walks and hikes. Give me some fresh air + green space and it just fuels my soul, calms my nerves and gives me some peace + clarity.
Fast forward to the Fall of 2020 when I came across a social media post from Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy (BOPC) looking for young professionals in the community to join their new initiative - Young Professionals for Olmsted Parks (YPOP), I immediately applied hoping that I would be accepted into the program.
In January of this year 50+ young professionals came together (via zoom) with the BOPC staff to meet for the first time. Through this new initiative, we are able to support the Conservancy's mission to care for Buffalo's Olmsted Parks. YPOP members are involved with activities like park tours, volunteer events, networking sessions and fundraising initiatives. It’s been four months and I’ve met a lot of great people and have learned so much about our Buffalo Parks.
With Spring officially here, people heading outside and Earth Day next week I wanted to share more information about the organization, what you can do to help support and sustain our Olmsted Parks and learn more about the creative Development Team who are always finding innovative ways to engage with the community.
The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is the first nonprofit in the nation to manage and operate an urban park system.
The Conservancy cares for 850 acres of Olmsted-designed parks, parkways, circles and smaller spaces and has more than 1 million visitors each year. From BPOC’s website:
Frederick Law Olmsted believed the purpose of green space was to “refresh and delight the eye and through the eye, mind and spirit.” Upon touring the City of Buffalo in 1868, he convinced the city’s leaders that not one park – as in New York City’s Central Park – but multiple parks would better serve Buffalo’s needs.
The Buffalo Olmsted Park System is composed of six parks, seven parkways and eight circles and have a talented and dedicated team of individuals that maintain and operate these spaces all year round. Another division of the team helps sustain the Conservancy by donor cultivations, fundraising initiatives, marketing and more and that’s there Development Team. This team consists of Catie Stephenson, Director of Development + Communications, Sarah Larkin, PR + Events Coordinator and Zhi Ting Phua, Marketing Communications Specialist. Learn more about them and the work they do below.
photo’s courtesy of Sarah Larkin, BOPC
What's the most unique/one-of-a-kind thing about your position?
Sarah: I’m able to think out of the box and create a brand new program like YPOP! But also, being able to just pop by one of the parks during the day to check in on a project or with the operations crew. To be able to break up the day at the office, it’s amazing that our other office space is our Parks.
Zhi: Being in the communications team offers me several opportunities to interact, learn and engage with staff from every Conservancy department. I hope to use my position to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work and talents of my colleagues as we work together to fulfill our mission to steward Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks.
What's something the public may not know about your position?
Catie: I think there’s a perception that development professionals are 100% focused on asking for money. In reality, development is about building relationships with people who have similar values and interests. While finding funding to support our organizational mission is important, it’s equally important to connect with people on a personal level and find those connections that sustain relationships for the long term.
What does the Olmsted Park system mean to you?
Sarah: A free attraction that’s open to the public 365 days a year. These parks are the true lungs to our city.
Zhi: Our Olmsted Parks are places we can find peace, solitude and comfort.
Catie: I love thinking about how the Olmsted Parks have served me throughout my life. When I was little, I played soccer in the parks. When I was in high school and college, the parks and parkways became a place to meet and spend time with friends. Now that I have my own family, they are spaces for my son to play and enjoy nature, and for us to spend time together. I’m so proud to work for BOPC and give back to these parks that have given so much to me.
What's your favorite thing about Buffalo/WNY?
Sarah: Buffalo Pride. The amount of Buffalo clothing or house decorations I own that are Buffalo themed is not healthy, but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Zhi: I find so much joy walking/running the Olmsted parkways and savoring delicious food all around the city!
Catie: I love how Buffalonians make conversation with people we don’t know at any time, in any place. That friendliness and warmth gives me life!
Favorite Olmsted event and why?
Sarah: The Olmsted Gala is kind of the culmination event of the park season. It’s a big celebration with our donors and the community to celebrate all that we accomplished during the park season. And also be able to celebrate with the Olmsted staff.
Zhi: Outdoor Family Movie Nights are one of my favorites! I love how we use our Olmsted green spaces to offer a classic, family-friendly and free activity to Buffalonians.
Catie: Any event that allows us to connect with park users be it a walking tour, a bike tour, or a fundraising event. I love meeting new people and sharing stories!
Most memorable moment of your job and why?
Sarah: The kickoff of the YPOP Program. In 2019, an idea popped into my head of creating a young professionals program and it was pretty surreal to see it all come together and officially launch!
Zhi: Leading my first walking tour around Hoyt Lake was great fun! I am especially thankful to our volunteer historian Jim Mendola for his trust and guidance. Buffalo’s Olmsted Park System turns 153 years old in 2021, and I am so glad to be able to share the stories of our historic greenspaces and structures, especially when these spaces mean something different to everyone.
Catie: There are so many memorable moments – the 150th celebration of Olmsted, FLOmingos, Wednesdays with Olmsted, team volunteer projects – too many to choose from!
What advice can you share with people that they can take and apply/help our parks?
Catie: Parks need people. Olmsted designed these spaces not just for Buffalo in 1868, but for the Buffalo of today. His vision was extraordinarily innovative and we need people to sustain and advocate for our parks to ensure they are available for the next generation.
What are some fun ways the community can get involved with Olmsted Parks as we head into the warmer months?
Zhi: Follow the Conservancy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Our social media handle is @bfloparks. There will be a mix of virtual and in-person engagement opportunities, and we would love to have you!
Catie: Volunteer! We are always looking for individual volunteers or volunteer groups to help support the care and maintenance of these spaces.
Can you explain the work that goes into getting the parks, parkways and circles ready for the spring and summer months?
Zhi: Every season of the year has its own needs and priorities. For example, in the winter, snow plowing and icing pathways throughout the park system is essential. To get ready for spring and summer (which we refer to as the “park season”), seed sowing of over 12,000 plants is a crucial project that begins at the end of January in the MLK Jr. Park greenhouse. This growing process lasts through May, when the plants grow large enough to be transplanted from the greenhouse to the flowerbeds in the Olmsted Parks. The operations team also tend to the green spaces catered for various park activities such as striping the soccer fields, preparing the golf greens for tee times and restoring the turf at areas with high foot traffic.
Catie: While the parks may seem quiet over the winter, the operations team never stops! When spring arrives, the team kicks into high gear assessing and fixing any winter damage, prepping beds for planting, coordinating full scale clean ups, preparing for mowing season, cleaning trails and pathways, and partnering with other departments to ensure we’re ready for a busy park season.
What impact does the Olmsted Parks Conservancy have on the City of Buffalo and on the community?
Catie: The Olmsted Park System provides a one-of-a-kind space for health, wellness, and connection to each other and nature. Across the world, cities are trying to find ways to connect their parks with the exact parkway system we have in Buffalo. We have something special here in Buffalo and I hope it makes everyone proud.
Can you share your favorite spot at your favorite park and why?
Sarah: My favorite spot is on either Lincoln or Bidwell Parkway and looking down at the lines of symmetrical trees. On a beautiful summer day with the plush trees, it’s just so satisfying to see that design right in front of you.
Zhi: I appreciate the parkways and circles as they represent a connective tissue in an urban and growing city, but I do have a soft spot for Cazenovia Park! If you are not sure why, you should take a walk at Caz to find out for yourself!
What is one of your most memorable or fun collaborations that you've gotten to work on?
Sarah: I would say that for the Gala last year, when were pivoting everything to virtual, we partnered with WKBW on a 30 minute Olmsted special that aired the night of, what would have been, our Gala. I really got to put my creative producer hat on and work with everyone at WKBW to make the special our own. It was a really great feeling to see the end result and know how much hard work our team put into that project.
How did you get your start in the position you hold?
Sarah: I have a background in Public Relations and Events. I’ve always been a planner and logistical queen, so I knew the event route was something I’d enjoy. My past jobs have included a mix of PR and Events at the Buffalo Bills, M&T Bank, Canalside and the NF Conference Center.
Zhi: I started as a photography volunteer for the Conservancy, somehow wiggled in as a Marketing intern and applied to join the d=Development and Communications department full-time.
What is one thing you have learned during your time with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy?
Sarah: That you should love what you do for work. When you love what you’re doing daily, it doesn’t event seem like work. Everyone at the Conservancy is very passionate about the work that they do, which makes for a strong Olmsted family and amazing work culture.
Zhi: When you believe in the mission of your organization, it provides you with greater inspiration and motivation to work hard and excel. The Conservancy’s mission is so much larger than myself, it is multi-faceted and a huge undertaking. Yet, it all began in 1978 thanks to a group of young park advocates who had the foresight, urgency and courage to speak up for our green spaces. Isn’t this piece of history marvelous?
Are there other parks (doesn't have to be in WNY) that you look to for ideas, collaborations or inspiration?
Catie: Yes! Over the last few years, we have worked hard to build relationships with other conservancies and parks organizations across the country. We even visited a few prior to COVID. It’s wonderful to have a group of people to brainstorm with and share ideas. Olmsted’s 200th birthday is coming up in 2022, which will be a national celebration with a good deal of collaboration.
If you could describe your co-worker(s) with a superpower, what would it be and why?
Sarah: The Dream Team – we are all Wonder Women!
Catie: The creativity and commitment of this team is unparalleled. I’m so proud to work with them!
