|
For Immediate Release
February 18, 2009
Genesee Land Trust Awarded Funds Supporting Park Completion
Genesee Land Trust, a local non-profit, has announced it is the recipient of $10,000 from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation to be used toward building a playground in Conkey Corner Park in the city. The Trust was one of 78 charities in Monroe County to receive grant funding intended for programs that promote physical activity of young children in the community. Genesee Land Trust, an organization that has worked with the City of Rochester and neighborhood organizations on the creation of El Camino, a 2.2 walking trail which begins at the intersection of Conkey and Clifford Avenues, has transformed that corner with a park that is now being used by neighbors of multiple generations. Last fall, ground was broken at Conkey Corner Park, formerly an abandoned lot, and a garden was installed. Over one hundred school children participated and School #8 has adopted the garden. Now the land trust has design plans and is continuing to seek grant funding to finish the park with the addition of a children’s playground. While this is a unique project for the group, the children’s playground at Conkey Corner Park will be a logical completion of the park and will encourage healthy outdoor recreation at the gateway to El Camino, or Urban Trail. The project was spearheaded by Genesee Land Trust executive director, Gay Mills and board member, Tom Frey, with much interaction with neighborhood groups. Speaking on behalf of the Trust, Gay Mills said, “We are very excited and thankful to have been awarded funding from the Health Foundation to begin the playground. This is a great step forward. The neighborhood is in need of green space and the children deserve a park with a garden and playground.” The building of the playground is scheduled to begin in early summer. A neighborhood celebration will be planned at that time.
Founded in 1989, Genesee Land Trust currently protects 3200 acres in Greater Rochester and is located at 500 East Avenue, Rochester. Visit www.geneseelandtrust.org for more information.
-end-
Contact: Margaret Potter, Assistant Director (585) 256-2130 .
.
|