The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and civic advocate Kevin Gaughan have reached a “framework of cooperation” on his plan for a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course adjacent to South Park and a refurbished course at Delaware Park. The nonbinding memorandum of understanding suggests the arms-length approach taken by the conservancy toward the project is not yet an embrace, but it could become one. “Much has been written and discussed about the prospect of golf in and near the Olmsted landscapes,” said Stephanie Crockatt, the conservancy’s executive director, in a statement. “And while no one disputes the grander vision for these ideas, with this MOU public and private expectations can be better managed, and we can begin to review detailed data, analytics and business plans in considering if and how the city and its Olmsted parks could benefit.” Gaughan first approached the conservancy about the plan in 2014. The plan also calls for a vocational center to teach golf course-related skills to city youth. “With this memorandum comes great opportunity to create new public amenities for Buffalo and to help lift its underserved youth,” Gaughan said in a statement. “The MOU is an essential step toward the success of our plan, and I’m pleased to collaborate with the conservancy to help make that plan a reality.” The agreement that Gaughan has sought allows Nicklaus Olmsted Buffalo, the not-for-profit headed by Gaughan, to pursue local fundraising with the conservancy’s backing and in a way intended to eliminate donor confusion about the two groups. Jack… [Read full story]
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