Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined today by Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commissioner Troy Schinzel, Public Works Commissioner William Geary, representatives from the Erie County Attorney’s Office, members of the Amherst Town Board and other local elected officials at the site of the former Westwood Country Club for ceremonial groundbreaking festivities on a transformation project that will lead to the creation of Willowdale Park.
The development of a 171-acre property, which will become the first county park in the Town of Amherst, will feature a nine-hole golf course as well as inclusive passive recreation space that will include an accessible playground, year-round outdoor event space, restrooms, and walking paths.
“This partnership benefits Amherst and Erie County because we are turning an unused golf course into a large usable green space for the public to enjoy,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “We listened to the residents of Amherst, many of whom expressed a desire for no massive development being done on the site and wanting the preservation of natural outdoor recreational space. I thank everyone involved for the collaborative effort on finding a solution for this site that will ultimately bring people together because of the revitalization of this space.”
“After being closed for more than a decade, we have a clear vision to reopen the property as a public park,” said Amherst Deputy Supervisor Shawn Lavin. “This effort is possible thanks to local, county and state investments. As a result, Willowdale Park is already taking shape. Progress is what can happen when we work together. This parcel is a jewel that will forever be a park with valued amenities, including event space, accessible playground and the historic nine-hole golf course. I join the community in looking forward to the day when the fences come down and all are welcome to enjoy this new park.”
The restored nine-hole golf course will use the same routing as the former Westwood CC’s back nine, seven holes of which are original to the site and were designed by famed golf course architect and player Willie Park, Jr., the 1887 and 1889 Open Championship winner and designer of famous courses worldwide. The large passive park area will feature walking trails, an accessible playground, restroom facilities, and an area for food trucks and other vendors.
First announced in April 2025, the agreement provides for shared investment in the park. The Town of Amherst invested $7.75 million to purchase the land and Erie County is investing $9.1 million in capital allocation to redevelop the park. Erie County’s plans include restoring nine holes of the original historic golf course, reviving trails and walking paths, creating bird watching, waterfowl and wildlife viewing areas, remediation, and preserving passive recreational space.
The eight-acre section of the park located at Sheridan Drive and North Forest Road corner will be developed thanks to state and county grant funding to create the accessible playground and year-round outdoor event space, and a restroom facility through a community benefit agreement.
Funding for playground was secured by State Senator Sean Ryan and State Assemblymember Karen McMahon, while money for initial park planning and the food truck/vendor area was appropriated by Erie County Legislator Jeanne M. Vinal.
“Willowdale Park will eventually become a place where Erie Country residents and visitors to our region will be able connect with nature, celebrate milestones, and foster a strong sense of community,” said Legislator Vinal. “This project represents a significant milestone for our community as it will provide much-needed accessibility and endless recreational opportunities. I am thrilled I am playing a role in ensuring this park becomes a reality and I thank my colleagues in the Erie County Legislature for supporting our goal of developing Willowdale Park into a vibrant space to benefit generations to come."
