If you’re going to build a micropark and you’re looking to attract attention, then there are ways to make practical design elements eye-catching and fun. If the plan is to build a fence around the park, why just build an ordinary fence, especially when there are so many creative directions to go? “Our group Buffalo Green Projects, LTD (affiliate of the Buffalo Urban Club) just completed a Buffalo Skyline Fence in Buffalo’s East Side,” Mike Tyrpak wrote to me. “Our Doat Street Micropark is home to our 28 feet wide by 8 feet tall artistic representation of the downtown Buffalo Skyline. Our other initiatives will include green transportation and tree plantings.”
The grassroots ‘green’ premise behind the Doat Street Micropark is a shared goal of Buffalo Green Projects (Facebook). For two years the group was involved with ReTree WNY efforts, before branching out to initiate their own project in 2011. The group’s first solo project was, of course, the Doat Street Micropark, which we are seeing come to fruition now.
It’s important that grassroots organizations learn from each other in manners such as this – ultimately the ripple effect will help to reinvigorate neighborhoods throughout the city. This particular project included a major cleanup, plantings and an artistic fence boasting civic pride.