By Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz
As the relaxed days of summer continue here in Erie County, I remind you that the Erie County Parks System is considered one of the finest in the country. I encourage everyone to spend some time reconnecting with nature in your own neighborhood by visiting one of the facilities made possible thanks to my administration’s commitment to our community.
One of my main goals when I first became County Executive was to invest in our parks, forests, golf courses, campground and beaches, which had become rundown due to years of disinvestment. We’ve done that thanks to wise annual investments and the work of a dedicated staff of full-time, part-time and seasonal employees who serve at various locations throughout the county.
I recently stopped by Bennett Beach in the Town of Evans, a beautiful destination to visit during the summer months. As one of the largest white sand beaches in all the Great Lakes, it is free to use for swimming and sunbathing. The beach opens daily at 10am, with certified lifeguards on duty from noon to 7pm. The sunset views are incredible and there are also opportunities to go fishing, enjoy a picnic or simply sit and relax.
I plan to visit other local parks throughout the rest of the summer, so please keep an eye on Erie County’s various social media accounts as well as local newscasts and newspapers as part of an ongoing tour of our public parks system. More information about activities happening at each location and a list of free programs and upcoming special events can be found by visiting www.erie.gov/parks/events/ .
Please don’t forget to download Erie County’s new ReadyErie app. This updated emergency preparedness tool helps keep us all informed with weather forecasts, safety resources, real-time alerts and other useful tools that will help you stay informed and ready during emergencies. You can download the new app by visiting www.erie.gov/ReadyErie .
Erie County is currently accepting applications from eligible charitable organizations interested in being entered into a lottery for a chance to receive tickets and parking passes for an assigned Buffalo Bills home game at the new Highmark Stadium. The Erie County Hospitality Suite is an opportunity to recognize and support charitable local organizations that consistently serve our community by providing services and offering programs to residents. Using a lottery process makes this a fair and transparent opportunity for each applicant. Applications must be submitted by July 24, so I urge administrators of eligible organizations to visit www.erie.gov/suites and apply online.
If you need assistance with county services or want to share your opinion on a particular topic about county government, please contact my office by sending an email to county.executive@erie.gov or by calling 716-858-8500.