BUFFALO–Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced that five grants have been awarded directly from New York State to the City of Buffalo/Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy (BOPC), worth approximately $1.2 million for major park improvements.

“I remain focused on upgrading recreational facilities throughout the city, especially parks,” said Mayor Brown. “The parks are one of the city’s greatest assets, and I will continue to support initiatives that make the parks safe and enjoyable for Buffalo residents and visitors.”

The grants will fund improvements in Delaware Park for the Parkside Lodge, Hoyt Lake pathway restoration, Point of Meadow shelter and pathway restoration. The grants will also include $525,000 in upgrades to MLK, Jr. Park for the Humboldt Basin wall, new statue sculpture and plaza improvements. Riverside Park will receive $125,000 in new landscaping around the lighthouse.

In keeping with the mission statement of community support, American Repertory Theater of Western New York has created a website and Facebook Page dedicated to opening up online forums to discuss issues facing WNY Artists. This new Website Public Forum page is entitled "The Voices of Western New York Artists."

These public forums are designed for all members of WNY Cultural Groups, media, individual artists and anyone with an opinion that faces Artists in Western New York.

Those visiting The Voices of WNY Artists website and the Facebook page are encouraged to post opinions, offer links to blogs & websites, announce upcoming shows and, most importantly, utilize their voices for the sole purposes of creating dialog and being heard.