Ø  The Central New York Conservancy is a nonprofit organization which was founded in June, 2002.

 

Ø  The Conservancy promotes stewardship, historic preservation and restoration, ecological health, beautification of public spaces, maintenance and management of sustainable practices, and community partnerships.

 

Ø  Conservancy partners include the City of Utica, the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, the Utica Zoological Society, the Utica City School District, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, and local and regional Garden Clubs.

 

Ø  The Proctor Family of Utica and the Utica Improvement Board commissioned the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted – Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects – to develop the City’s green spaces.

 

Ø  The Central New York Conservancy successfully applied for and received State and National Register of Historic Places designation for the Utica Parks and Parkway System in 2008.  The Parks and Parkway System is recognized as a National Olmsted District of Historic Significance.

 

Ø  The Conservancy has completed a number of restoration and preservation projects within F.T. Proctor Park and along the Memorial Parkway including the following:

 

§  Restoration of the Lily Pond and Fountain – FT Proctor Park

§  Bathhouse Restoration – FT Proctor Park

§  Installation of Park Sign and Fencing – FT Proctor Park

§  Planting of Trees, Shrubs, Bulbs – FT Proctor Park & Parkway

§  Redesigning and Replanting of Parkway Monument Flower Beds

§  Butterfly Garden Installation – FT Proctor Park

§  Planting of American Elms (with City of Utica) – Parkway

§  Planting of Flowering Cherry Trees (with Proctor High School NJROTC) – Culver Avenue

§  Removal of Non-Native, Invasive Plants and Shrubs – FT Proctor Park & Zoo area

§  Restoration of Stone Staircases and Walking Paths – FT Proctor Park