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History of Amherst State Park News Archives
Foundation hopes to restore Amherst State Park gazebo
Amherst Bee, August 1, 2007
Sally Metzger, Eileen Torre and Pete Warn tour the gazebo at Amherst State Park, which is in need of repairs. The Amherst Conservation, Recreation and Parks Foundation is planning to raise funds so the shelter can again be used by residents. Members of the Amherst Conservation, Recreation and Parks Foundation met at the old St. Mary of the Angels motherhouse on July 25 to see how they could help with Amherst State Park.
The extensive lands of the old convent, including lawns, forests, orchards and a wild section of Ellicott Creek, make up the park. It is owned jointly by the town and New York State, but the town has responsibility for its maintenance.
The motherhouse, which has been converted to senior housing, is privately owned but still uses the park setting.
Bob Walters of the Amherst Town Planning Department attended the meeting and reviewed the planning done for the town by a consulting firm. The preliminary work has been done to convert the lands to park use, but much awaits funding.
ACR&P had previously met with Anne Schifferle of the Recreation Department, who outlined plans for use of the park, including concerts and children's mobile recreation beginning in 2008.
ACR&P intends to focus, for the present, on two projects in the park. First, to encourage more volunteer gardeners to join the Smallwood Garden Club in beautifying the park. Second, to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the large gazebo trellis that overlooks Ellicott Creek. The ACR&P hopes to rescue the gazebo's azalea bushes, rebuild the decaying woodwork and let vines again cover its lattice.
Sister Dolores Cook, archivist for the Sisters of St. Francis, recalls many picnics at the end of the school year that centered around the old gazebo. During the warm months, nuns would read and listen to music there.
"If the fundraising is successful, this wonderful old gazebo will again shelter a quiet spot for a country picnic," Larry Beahan, foundation member, said.
Sally Metzger, Eileen Torre and Pete Warn tour the gazebo at Amherst State Park, which is in need
of repairs. The Amherst Conservation, Recreation and Parks Foundation is planning to raise funds
so the shelter can again be used by residents.