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Amherst Central Park


Former Westwood Country Club
NYSDEC Invites Public Comment About Draft Plan to Investigate Contamination at Brownfield Site on North Forest Rd., Williamsville
The link below opens a fact sheet that invites public comment about a draft work plan to investigate contamination at the Westwood Country Club, site ID #C915291 (Williamsville, Erie County) within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/der/factsheet/c915291riwp1.pdf

The draft investigation work plan, called a “Remedial Investigation Work Plan,” (RIWP) was submitted by Mensch Capital Partners, LLC to NYSDEC under New York’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. The investigation will be performed by Mensch Capital Partners, LLC with oversight by NYSDEC and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

Please note, NYSDEC is accepting public comments about the draft work plan through August 13, 2021. Please see fact sheet for details about the draft plan and how to comment directly to the NYSDEC.

Overview

The Town of Amherst is planning a world class park that combines the Audubon Recreation Center with the former Westwood Country Club to create a 325 acre center of community recreation and civic life. Through many meetings and engagements with residents, stakeholders and constituents the Town has identified the following objectives for the Amherst Central Park (ACP):

  • Transform the Westwood property to a world class park
  • Preserve the Westwood Clubhouse as a Town Arts and Cultural Center
  • Enhance and improve passive and active recreation facilities
  • Develop a sports and wellness facility
  • Develop an indoor field house for Town/school district use

Planning for the ACP is underway as residents and other stakeholders contribute to park master planning.

Public Outreach Plan: Draft January 2021


Master Plan

Among the steps taken to move forward with the Amherst Central Park was alienation of lands at the Audubon Recreation Center and formulation of a park master plan. The project site is comprised of two major areas. The first area is north of Maple Road on the Audubon Recreation Center and Golf Course site, the other area is south of Maple Road on the former Westwood Country Club property. The Town has retained the services of the design firm Dover Kohl & Partners to assist with preparation of the plan.


Park Design Workshop: June-July 2020

To initiate the planning Dover, Kohl & Partners led a series of workshop meetings during the week of June 29 to July 2 in 2020. The following plans and video recording show the progress of the workshop and a presentation to the Town Board.

Approximate length of the video is 1 hour.


Amherst Central Park Task Force

Following the Dover-Kohl Workshop, the Town formed the Amherst Central Park Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of community members with an interest or expertise related to the project. Members also include local residents and officials. Town officials and staff members act as Task Force liaisons and resource personnel providing technical assistance.

Amherst Central Park Task Force information

Task Force meeting dates and materials such as agendas, meeting notes and video recordings of meetings are available on the IQM2 / Minutetraq Website. This information is updated periodically following each meeting.


Alienation of Parkland

The Town of Amherst alienated 93 acres of parkland that was part of the Audubon Recreational Complex. The following are documents related to the alienation.


Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

The Town of Amherst is forming a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (“LWRP”) in accordance with a process established by the New York State Department of State. The plan provides guidance for recreation, land use, and environmental needs along Tonawanda Creek and Ellicott Creek, which borders the Amherst Central Park project. Use the following link to learn more about the LWRP and the planning process.

Town of Amherst Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

About Amherst

The Town of Amherst was established in 1818 and celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2018. The town has a geographical area of 53.6 square miles and a population of greater than 122,000.

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The Town of Amherst ADA Coordinators are Robert McCarthy (Director of Human Resources) and Mark Berke (Commissioner of Buildings).

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  • General Information:
    (716) 631-7000
  • Email:
    toainfo@amherst.ny.us
  • Address:
    Municipal Building (Town Hall)
  • 5583 Main Street
  • Williamsville, NY 14221