The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry was recently named the recipient of the Daniel B. Niederlander Award, a prestigious honor given as one of the annual Red Jacket Awards recognizing various community members and organizations from throughout Western New York.
The award, which was presented at an event held on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Buffalo History Museum, is in recognition for outstanding history programming by a local cultural organization. The Parks Department is being honored due to the efforts of Erie County employees helping to profoundly transform the community by making the general public more aware of and protecting regionally important areas of scenic, environmental and cultural heritage.
The award was accepted by Erie County Parks Commissioner Troy Schinzel and Deputy Commissioner of Recreation Katherine Hilliman.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive this honor on behalf of Erie County and our entire department,” said Schinzel. “The visitors to our parks are able to take advantage of year-round activities, some of which highlight the profound historical significance of properties that our hard-working and dedicated employees take tremendous pride in maintaining, improving and enhancing for various recreational opportunities.”
With nearly 11,000 acres of land on 38 sites located throughout the county, Erie County’s parks system includes 13 forestry lots, 11 large multi-purpose parks, seven small special-purpose parks, five undeveloped natural parks and two multi-use recreational trails. Established in 1925, the parks are open 365 days a year for Erie County residents and visitors to the region to enjoy.
For more information:
About the Red Jacket Awards, visit www.buffalohistory.org/event/annual-red-jacket-awards/
About the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, visit www.erie.gov/parks/
