Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - This Thursday was a big day for the Citizen Science Community Resources organization (CSRC), as they announced their partnerships, plans and location site for a new 'Victory Garden,' which will be installed on a part of property where the Tonawanda Coke plant once stood.
"We have a vision to create something polar opposite to what Tonawanda Coke signified in our community. It's time for nature to take back industry and greenery and gardens to replace polluted air, soil and water. This will be accomplished by planting one garden at a time, starting with our Community Victory Garden," said Jackie James, CSRC's Director.
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The first phase of this garden project will start at a part of the bike path on River Road and will feature observation platforms, bike racks, seating areas, a stone dust or permeated asphalt walkway, a large boulder wall that will surround the perimeter and of course, an extensive array of plants native to the area.
"The garden will work its way down the path so that it has some separation from the noise and air pollution that's up here and offer a tranquil space down below," describes It will also offer some viewing platforms that would be raised. So you would climb up the stair tower and be able to look out over this wetland that's behind us. So you'll be able to also experience some interpretive signs and some artifacts. We have a whole variety of things that have been salvaged from the site that will be incorporated into some art elements. At the same time we have an experience of exploring the story of our industrial legacy, and at the same time experiencing the rebirth and resourcefulness of the up native plantings, and wetland, as we draw back our native insects, birds and mammals," says Joy Kuebler, Landscape Architect.
The first phase of this project has a price tag of $300,000. So far, the CSRC has raised $130,000 from the OSC Foundation, Honeywell and the Town of Tonawanda.
"We're asking people to join them and become a member of our victory circle. No contribution is too big or too small. We've got a ways to go but have the confidence we can do it with the community's help," says James.
They are hoping to complete the first phase of the projected two-phase project by the Spring of 2024.
"This is just the beginning, one of the beginnings actually, that you're gonna see over the next five to 10 years along this corridor," said Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joe Emminger. "It was just a little over two years ago that Jackie and I pushed the plunger and brought down the stacks in June of 2021. Our landscape has been transformed forever in our town. When you come over those Grand Island bridges, what do you see? You don't see that plume of smoke coming up from Tonawanda Coke, you see healthy air."