[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6625231,"mediaKeyId","2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75","parentId",2762479,"title","Board updates: pavilion construction, Nike‑base work and trail connections remain in progress","audioSeconds",1070,"startMs",3710000,"endMs",4780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75&start=3710&end=4780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75/thumbnail_3710000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625231/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Board-updates-pavilion-construction-Nikebase-work-and-trail-connections-remain-in-progress","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625231-22d1f2d99554e53755e3cb8aab4ae1fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775967747&Signature=TY71EtsVKg1Iy99PN6nHcVTSsrGOfmWLODUuus5kVWtT1jFDVuAIbm3qvImNt5nozew9gZKiMAWes6zJbORfWh0va6eWIV36ZjpdrlUdsX1d~oJ7haJjGQJu6gTYhIIIV66phnarUGJk4MkIT4D54Gu39NPq3YgkoHS7R4DJ6z--~BBVYSnS7TM0RkwYQxheBnseSCce0LElDsc149OzV6ZxMb7nFN-xpY-t3HkoEqdFBBJ-s-yUUF6eKnJzlQCHJ5a51mCC66cd5MHNkNuypiLEiAE~dlSIKxTlWDj-mtI3HeOjgt-Azx1909imsM4PsLmy6TktsVN2dsi4jhbq5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Island, NY","date","2025-03-25T15:12:46.07Z","article","Board members received updates on pavilion construction at Veterans Park, open‑space inventory updates and multiple trail‑and‑path proposals across Grand Island.

Tom (staff) said crews have moved stone and completed foundational work for the new pavilion; construction by the contractor is expected to be quick once the builder starts. \"Support beams are all already in and concrete,\" he said. The board heard the builder expects the pavilion structure to be up within days once mobilized.

Staff also described work on a pilot linear path linking Baseline Road and the existing linear path. The plan requires coordination with a utility corridor and National Grid; staff said they have submitted engineered plans and are addressing one remaining item for approval. If approved, the pilot could open a route that eventually allows a continuous trail connection across larger portions of the island.

The board discussed a potential easement that would connect town trails to Echo Island via school property and said the Land Conservancy and the school are engaged in early conversations. Members also noted new state grant opportunities for trail reconstruction and rehabilitation, including programs that may fund mulch‑to‑stone conversions at an 80/20 match in some cases. Staff said they are evaluating whether a combination of in‑house work and contracted construction would be the best approach for different segments.

On condemned buildings at the former Nike base, staff said they are awaiting a final memorialization step from a state party before proceeding with demolition; the town has requested confirmation that removal may proceed. The group did not authorize demolition without that confirmation.

No final bids or contracts were approved during the meeting; staff will continue engineering, grant research and utility coordination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/24/2025 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board","oneSentenceSummary","Construction at Veterans Park pavilion and several trail projects are underway; staff reported grant opportunities for trail maintenance and ongoing work to secure sewer/water and easement connections for expanded trail segments.","taxTitle","Grand Island, Erie County, New York","taxId",54969,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625237,"Board moves forward on exploratory talks for trained dogs to control geese",160,3785000,3945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75&start=3785&end=3945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75/thumbnail_3785000.jpg","/articles/6625237/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Board-moves-forward-on-exploratory-talks-for-trained-dogs-to-control-geese","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625237-99cce10faa73c08242b8057fb81bfa36/orig.mp4?Expires=1775967747&Signature=ZlN6CXnoNTrW6cw9UfrmXcO2s9PL-guYV8XPs4WPEJH1p1W7aOdAQGOLJF~QiTH6SmrwcuZe25kMJNGlKr0FscFrIbd1tRtQh6STW3STnX3Y38AkHFXdZMJ3G4ba~JUuqL5Nt0r5K6ju-9vRMmVjgC8-P1EbIzU56IY9fe5XlJ5IbNhSGvMh1QszH-cT79oNV~IR8LafpcjymTJ7cW~PYJfFs3PUiHAyzSRBU4tHoITFxHBRUNfjP8VKvwpFGAxdbti-0J1Wp8t1nwO3zXk7HJjFjxm3JAIlxdJZgPSst~tsaZBmqM5~os0Yy~Tegs9V4DD3-Np8swoeIyoiPjrhgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grand Island Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members said they are further along in exploring a goose‑control program that uses trained dogs and handlers to deter nesting geese from parks and athletic fields.

Sam (board/staff) and others reported that the town has been talking with a breeder and with staff in the Town of Tonawanda, which has used trained dogs for more than two decades. \"The breeder has sent out over 500 dogs across the country to golf courses, parks and recreation departments,\" one staff member said in the discussion. Tonawanda reported long experience with the approach and told Grand Island staff the method can reduce turf damage and maintenance costs over time.

Speakers cautioned that the program requires a major personal commitment from handlers and an ongoing financial commitment from the town to cover veterinary care, handler compensation and other costs. One board member said the handler commitment is significant and that some towns have difficulty maintaining a handler. The meeting record shows the group is pursuing further details, including police‑and‑liability policies and cost analyses, and that the breeder offered to answer board questions by phone.

No formal decision or contract was approved. Staff said they will continue coordination with the prospective handler(s), the breeder and town attorneys before bringing a concrete proposal to a future meeting.","Members reported new progress toward hiring trained animals and handlers to manage nuisance Canada geese, citing Tonawanda's long‑running program and the breeder used there.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625242,"Consultant outlines Parks and Recreation master‑plan process; public outreach to follow",260,2860000,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75&start=2860&end=3120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75/thumbnail_2860000.jpg","/articles/6625242/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Consultant-outlines-Parks-and-Recreation-masterplan-process-public-outreach-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625242-0db2ca460083956398f6ba0c61be9e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1775967747&Signature=L4Dbw-SqZdjzRsUAj9lRrgifZSYQL36wqR8wi0brXueHkRb5ZFxFBLxXQZ4b10JdDNZq~mT-bYJ1dRtyDcQDClSh2ZdjuVmjq4e~WGdQHioBWu7hECjm7Sib1epI69wOlL5MTDEru2s8nOaSyMiCNFqJD3aUdbtKI2STJw0XNWjOuJ556knm9E8cS9x3wUVO2umG6grWXo0J3LQqsqcphM0xr6KLErIG24d0Dh3x7UeJd0pjSl9pdXre00QmhXVloMZb7qykosjhcXUniugmZZq778w6009Jhp3Ap4MWU-48bBdCIE4diQ--kaAdHXwxENZdYfuWhHaQZvn7p1Pq6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grand Island Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members heard an update on the town’s Parks and Recreation master plan and the consultant’s process for developing it.

Board members said the consultant (identified in the meeting as Lobel/LaBella) is preparing a schedule and will return with a package of ideas drawn from comparable towns and prior local studies. \"They're planning the process,\" one board member said; the consultant will present an agenda for public meetings, stakeholder outreach and baseline demographic analysis on April 1, the board was told.

Members reiterated that the board and the public will shape priorities; the consultant is building a framework for community meetings, data collection and grant‑opportunity screening. Officials said the consultant will pull existing materials, including older surveys and prior planning documents, and use that background to recommend engagement steps.

The board asked for the chance to provide input in advance and was told to forward suggested priorities by email. No final project scope, budget or site‑level designs were adopted at the meeting; the consultant will return with a recommended process and schedule for public engagement.","Board members were briefed on the master‑plan consultant's timeline and outreach process. The consultant will return April 1 with next‑step recommendations and stakeholder engagement plans.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625247,"Grand Island officials focus on power, plumbing and layout before building Commons ice rink and band shelter",2584,266000,2850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75&start=266&end=2850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762479-890af6fea59bbd713ee2b31b1f1fed75/thumbnail_266000.jpg","/articles/6625247/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Grand-Island-officials-focus-on-power-plumbing-and-layout-before-building-Commons-ice-rink-and-band-shelter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625247-cde56b6edede8e040e7adcad3df7ab0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775967747&Signature=bKj0LMrJ9aGanYh8wMtU310b5ze0G26TtbUZ13Vnizch3PaR9HOLhTYD3r3g2x3owd1mcB-EVKg0h5xdWZZIoOgH7jUV50ohbf73bEQLREwPsk0fVyKJB2McM5HvZNkWfuZKiUCK8~yUwfWY7wcJ9gOC0geAj7TrWoO-nXpJvsPEZmTKa4eOB8EP74hX5FDFLBEPSOk1n2zawu8kLMS3Gnhl0AzvOb46sOQLfCnpCiImbdfBDaAiwyu~cs01jdAr51Y7PH8KbAWLkq4vRqVaO3ldlzDv9UxkJBMqLnChJ~inh-fX-HySkQahyoKKpZZIHBo6aTF6ixRj96jVhpSnLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grand Island Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members on an extended agenda item said the project team needs to resolve power, sewer and drainage questions before committing to the planned band shelter and seasonal ice rink.

The discussion centered on whether to move the rink closer to the planned band shelter, how to route electrical service and where to place reinforced vehicle access. \"We've already got a case number with National Grid,\" said Tom Degotti, staff member, who led the presentation on a revised site plan. Degotti said the town has provided specifications to National Grid and is waiting to learn whether the utility will run service across Brown Boulevard or Whitehaven Road.

The board’s immediate priorities are twofold: (1) get an engineering evaluation of a creek/ditch and elevations, and (2) secure National Grid’s response on the power routing. \"If we get power and the engineering for the ditch, the creek, those are the two things,\" Judy, board member, said toward the end of the discussion. Several members repeated that power lead time is critical because lighting, Wi‑Fi and other buried utilities should be roughed in when sidewalks or reinforced pads are installed.

Beyond utilities, the group debated exact locations for the rink, a band shelter and public restrooms. Degotti recommended consolidating most building services near a central hub so the bathrooms, rink refrigeration (coolers) and power can be close to one another. The group discussed placing a concrete reinforcement — described as 6 inches in drafts — for any vehicle access to avoid damage from truck traffic. \"You probably want this as close to this as you can get,\" Degotti said of the hub for water, sewer and power.

Speakers also weighed tradeoffs between installing geogrid (a subsurface structural layer for temporary vehicle loads) versus full concrete sidewalks. Some members said geogrid could be added later as financing allows; others favored reinforcing at least one primary vehicle access point for events and food trucks. The board discussed vehicle circulation for festivals and how locating food trucks near parking would reduce pedestrian flow near the stage.

Cost and timeline were discussed in general terms. Board members noted rising costs: one member said the ice rink price has increased roughly $40,000 since it was first discussed and that costs have risen \"about a third.\" Estimates for power upgrades at other projects discussed during the meeting ranged from roughly $45,000 to $65,000 based on recent bids for nearby work; no firm bid for Commons power was in hand.

Next steps and direction from the meeting: staff will (a) follow up with National Grid on the service ticket and routing; (b) ask engineering to prepare drainage elevations for the creek and the park; and (c) ask the town’s architect/consultant to produce a band‑shelter concept to clarify where sewer and water would be required. Several members emphasized doing the utility work early so future additions (lights, Wi‑Fi, PA power) can be installed without re‑excavation.

The board did not adopt any formal motion on layout or funding during the discussion; members agreed to return to the plan after National Grid and engineering reports are available.","Parks officials discussed relocating an ice rink, placing a band shelter, and securing electrical and sewer service for the Commons; staff said securing power from National Grid and completing engineering for drainage are the immediate next steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board updates: pavilion construction, Nike‑base work and trail connections remain in progress

Board moves forward on exploratory talks for trained dogs to control geese

Consultant outlines Parks and Recreation master‑plan process; public outreach to follow

Grand Island officials focus on power, plumbing and layout before building Commons ice rink and band shelter