WELLSVILLE, NY - You may ask, what is so special about a
bunch of bricks? If you go to the Fassett GreenSpace on Main Street in
Wellsville, you’ll find the answer. Earlier this year, Art for Rural America
was awarded $32,725 for the procurement and installation of over 14,000
permeable brick pavers. This will transform their multifaceted community garden
and sculpture park into an ADA compliant, accessible outdoor place for all
residents. “These funds are being used to make walking easier for all and to
make it possible for those with wheelchairs, strollers and scooters to be in
the garden” says Board President, Cassandra Bull. Funding from this grant also
allowed the construction of an informational kiosk which now houses a community
made mosaic sign.
The Fassett GreenSpace will showcase permeable brick pavers
made by Whitacre Greer in Ohio. These are the same pavers that were installed
in Alfred State College’s Wellsville Campus at their Zero Energy Demonstration
home. The pavers are an especially interesting design, as they create a passive
water filtration system in which natural microbes form within the gravel and
clean the water as it flows through. Greg Carlin, Wellsville resident and mason
with 30 years of experience, was contracted to start installing the pavers in
late September. This project is on track to be complete by the end of November.
After many attempts to fund this vital phase of the Fassett
GreenSpace project, The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Legacy Funds through the
Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo saw promise in the project. Art for
Rural America was previously awarded $21,000 by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr.
Foundation in partnership with KaBOOM! in their Play Everywhere Challenge in
2018 to procure an ensemble of six outdoor sculptural instruments.The Legacy
Funds fall under four categories: Caregivers, Community Assets, Youth Sports,
and Design and Access. Design and Access grants were created to “increase the
health and quality of life of WNY residents of all ages by enhancing outdoor
activities within the region,” according to the Community Foundation’s website.
These funds are distributed in the eight counties of Western New York as well
as parts of Southeast Michigan.
Thanks to outside funding from this civic minded foundation,
The Fassett GreenSpace will finally get a solid 'floor' and be truly accessible
to the community. For more information about the project, follow The Fassett
GreenSpace project on Facebook or visit their website
www.ArtforRuralAmerica.org. For more information or to volunteer, email
Cassandra Bull at ArtforRuralAmerica@gmail.com.
(photos provided)
(photos provided)
