Town of Batavia plans outdoor meeting, dedication of new canoe launch, at Kiwanis Park

Press release:

The Batavia Town Board will hold its September meeting outside at Kiwanis Park on Wednesday, Sept. 12. While it is unclear if the board has ever held a meeting outdoors before, it certainly has not been done in recent memory.

“I've been with the town since 1994 and I don't remember a meeting that hasn't taken place at Town Hall,” said Town Clerk Teressa Morasco.

The meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will be followed by a dedication ceremony for the new canoe launch which was built with a $6,000 grant from the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District to promote recreational access to the Tonawanda creek.

The Town of Batavia Engineering Department designed the launch and completed all the permitting and the town Highway Department built the canoe launch. It is approximately 12 feet wide to accommodate multiple canoes and kayaks and provides a safe and easy access point to the Tonawanda Creek.

Also at the meeting, the board will recognize John O'Brian, who was a member of the planning board in 1975, when the park was first conceived. O'Brian later served as the group's chairman.

The park was built in 1976 and first included 12 picnic tables, three grills and a 25-foot flagpole. The stone pillars that still stand at the park's entrance were constructed by longtime highway superintendent Bob Smart, who personally collected the rocks used in the structures.

Following the meeting, Councilperson Patti Michalak, will make a special announcement regarding the park. A reception with refreshments will follow. The public is invited.