By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — When Mari Howard was growing up on the South Side of Olean, one of her friends was Michael Trietley, who was disabled and had a wheelchair.
They have remained friends ever since. Howard is now president and CEO of InTandem, a nonprofit group dedicated to helping the disabled and Michael is a beneficiary of the group’s efforts.
During a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at the new $2.1 million Marcus Park that includes an inclusive playground, Howard gave a shout-out to Michael, crediting him for the spark eight years ago that led to the playground’s make-over.
Michael told her he had never been on a swing. That got Howard thinking. Marcus Park could be transformed into a park benefitting everyone. “Today Mike, we’re going to take our first swing,” Howard said during her remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s all about you.”
After the ribbon was cut in front of hundreds of children and adults, Howard sought Michael out and pushed his wheelchair across the playground to a swing made to accommodate someone in a wheelchair and a caregiver.
As three people pushed it for his first ride on a swing, Michael’s face broke into a big smile. Howard smiled too.
“How did you like your first swing ride?” she asked Michael after it was over and they headed to another ride. “Pretty awesome, huh?” she asked. “Yes,” he smiled.”Yes.”
It took years, but with help from the City of Olean, local private funding and New York State, Intandem helped transform the underused park into an inclusive showcase.
InTandem, which has a facility next door, contributed about $1 million to the playground. The City of Olean’s share is about $200,000. The city’s Public Works Department provided in-kind services.
In addition, the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation provided $500,000, Western New York Council of Economic Development gave another $750,000 and the Cattaraugus Region Foundation provided $24,000 through the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.
Marcus Park is nearly 100 years-old. The late H.W. Marcus donated a portion of the land in the 1930s, and his son, Benjamin Marcus, donated more land there in 1950.
Long an underused city park, that began to change a few years ago when Howard, then-Mayor Bill Aiello and Ward 6 Councilman Vernon Robinson Jr., got together to forge the partnership that resulted in the upgraded Marcus Park.
Mayor Amy B. Sherburne welcomed those attending and reviewed the history of the project.
“Olean is a community on the rise, a modern, diverse city that prioritizes the well-being of its residents and visitors,” the mayor said.
“This playground stands as a definitive anchor in a mission to revitalize the community alongside ADA compliant restrooms, fresh picnic area, a youth ballfield, the interconnected paths of the Allegheny River Valley Trail and a new dog park has successfully transformed once underutilized land into a hub of vibrant activity,” Sherburne said.
“Thank you very much to everyone that made this park happen,” said State Sen. George Borrello. It required a lot of grant applications, “but at the end of the day, nobody gave up and this is the result. It’s a result of everyone working together to make sure this beautiful space for everyone to be accessible for is now a reality.”
Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski applauded the partnerships that helped build the new, inclusive Marcus Park. “I’m a special needs dad,” he said, noting his daughter has Down syndrome. “So thank you for making sure you have a playground in Olean where everyone has the right to play.”
Also speaking were Karen Utz, executive director of the Western New York Economic Development Council and Jay Bailey, Allegany Region director for New York State Parks.
Marcus Park is located at West Sullivan and North 15th streets.
