Senate Resolution No. 2624

BY: Senator JACOBS

COMMEMORATING the 22nd Anniversary of Garden Walk
Buffalo from July 29-30, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
the availability of exceptional recreational events; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 22nd Anniversary of Garden Walk Buffalo from July 29-30,
2017, in Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, Garden Walk Buffalo is a free, self-guided tour of more
than 380 Buffalo gardens, held annually on the last weekend of July; it
is one of the largest events of its kind in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Marvin Lunenfeld and Gail McCarthy attended an
urban garden tour in Chicago, Illinois, and were inspired to recreate
the concept in Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, The idea for a new garden tour was presented to the members
of the Norwood/West Utica Neighborhood Association, and by the summer of
1995, a group of volunteers set up the basic structure for the first
Garden Walk Buffalo, held from July 15-16, 1995; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, Garden Walk Buffalo's main goals have
been to encourage neighborhood beautification and to promote community
pride; no admission was charged for the first Garden Walk, a tradition
which continues to this day; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Garden Walk Buffalo has grown well beyond
its original size and scope with the number of participating gardens
increasing to over 380; and

WHEREAS, Since 2002, this esteemed event has provided grants for
numerous community gardening projects, supporting more than 70 garden
developments in the last few years; and

WHEREAS, Most of Garden Walk Buffalo's participating gardens are
private, but an increasing number of community spaces, corporate
offices, and churches have taken part; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the boundaries of the tour extend five miles
from the Frederick Law Olmstead-designed Delaware Park to downtown
Buffalo's beautiful Art Deco City Hall; and

WHEREAS, Garden Walk Buffalo has become a signature summer event,
proving to visitors from suburban Western New York and beyond that the
area's natural scenery can rival its architectural splendor; and

WHEREAS, The success of Garden Walk Buffalo is in direct correlation
to the efforts of its founders, volunteers and sponsors, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive

commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of this institution and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when events
of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention,
they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 22nd Anniversary of Garden Walk Buffalo on July 29-30,
2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Garden Walk Buffalo.