Groundbreaking held for $2 million make-over of Olean’s Marcus Park

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

OLEAN — Groundbreaking was held at Marcus Park Thursday for the $2 million project — including an inclusive playground, dog park, ball field and restrooms.

City officials, community members including those from the nearby InTandem facility and others gathered at the 3.5-acre underused park at West Sullivan and West 15th streets for the groundbreaking.

Mayor Bill Aiello spoke about the park’s history, starting with a donation of land by H.W. Marcus in the 1930s. Later, in 1950, his son, Ben Marcus donated more property for the park.

Aiello noted that Ben Marcus’ daughter, and H.W. Marcus’ granddaughter Marcia Kelly, was present for the groundbreaking.

While the park has fallen into disrepair over the years, it will change for the better over the next few months, the mayor said.

From an idea first proposed by Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 5, Aiello and InTandem CEO Mari Howard forged a partnership last year to resurrect Marcus Park.

Howard, who also spoke before the groundbreaking, said talks had centered around putting one piece of inclusive playground equipment in each of the city parks. When Aiello suggested all of the equipment in a revitalized Marcus Park, Howard said she jumped at the chance.

“I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity to reinvigorate this side of town in this community with a place that will make all the difference for families with a child who is neurotypical,” Howard said.

“It’s a vision that is bigger than looking at a park,” she said.”It is a vision for inclusion, and it’s absolutely our pleasure to be a part of this community.”

Intandem has committed $600,000 for the playground equipment. Added to $500,000 from the New York State office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and $750,000 from the Western New York Council of Economic Development, that left just over $200,000 as the city’s share.

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s director Wendy Brand announced to those gathered for the groundbreaking that almost $24,000 has been committed to the Marcus Park Project by the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. That will bring the city’s share of costs to around $200,000.

Mary Wilson, director of the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, attended the groundbreaking.

“We’ll be having a ribbon cutting in a few short months,” Aiello said.

“This space is great,” the mayor said. It is saturated with an excellent neighborhood full of families and children, flanked by Washington West Elementary School and the InTandem facility behind me.

Aiello thanked both Robinson for coming up with his proposal, to Howard, the InTandem CEO, and Marcia Kelly for the donation of land by her father and grandfather. He also cited the Community Development Office, headed by Keri Kerper for pressing ahead for grants for the park.

Aiello said, “Quality of life for our residents is very important.” He cited other projects in Lincoln Park, Oak Hill Park, Bradner Stadium, Fitness Park and the William O. Smith Recreation Center implemented during his administration.

“Our park system started about 100 years ago,” Aiello said, “and these improvements will continue to make it a great place to live for the next generation and beyond.”

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