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ECHDC, Outer Harbor Management Group reveal unique new benches created for Wilkeson Pointe

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Fri, Jul 29th 2016 02:40 pm

Students from The Foundry build one-of-a-kind seating for the waterfront

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. and the new Outer Harbor Management Group today showed off the six new benches created by students at The Foundry in Buffalo. Several students worked for weeks to build the six-foot benches out of tiger wood and driftwood collected from the shores of the Outer Harbor. Foundry students were on hand today to proudly present the completed project.

"The benches created by the students at The Foundry are true works of art," ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia said. "We are thrilled the students were able to use driftwood from our shores in the design. Thank you for your creative approach and hard work."

The Foundry, located on Northampton Street, works with youth to achieve meaningful, long-term employment and a well-rounded education that helps create economic stability and social health for individuals and the neighborhood at large. The Foundry facilitates youth opportunities through STEM exploration for girls, job training partnerships (Baker-Victory Services, YouthBuild, Aspire), part-time employment at the Foundry, career exploration, and youth entrepreneurship programs.

"When people see and sit on the benches, we hope they appreciate where they came from and the people who built them," The Foundry Executive Director Megan McNally said. "The students of The Foundry are empowered by each of their successes. These benches represent a job well done and each also tells the story of what can be accomplished when we work together for the common good of the community."

The Outer Harbor Management Group will place the benches in locations where they can be both used and admired.

"When you look at these hand-crafted benches, you see the results of hours and hours of hard work," said Jonathan A. Dandes, president of Rich Baseball Operations. "We want to thank the students of The Foundry for taking on this project. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished for yourselves and for the community. Everyone who comes to Wilkeson Pointe will enjoy the benches for years to come."

The benches will provide a welcome place to relax for visitors coming to enjoy the daily activities at Wilkeson Pointe, including bike rentals, kayaks, paddleboards and water bikes rentals (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily). Fitness programs are also in full swing throughout the summer, including a paddle board yoga class; "Love in Motion Yoga" at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and a summer long "Power-Hour At the Pointe" fitness class every Saturday at 8 a.m.

Visit www.outerharborbuffalo.com for the full schedule of events and activities. For a 2016 Outer Harbor Special Events flier, click HERE, for an Outer Harbor daily programming flier, click HERE.

The Foundry is a project of Net+Positive, a 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of The Foundry is to increase neighborhood prosperity by empowering individuals through innovations in housing, entrepreneurship, education and the environment. Net+Positive strives to foster ecologically, economically and socially viable neighborhood systems in the City of Buffalo by promoting community arts; providing mentoring and training opportunities for low-income, unemployed or underemployed individuals - particularly people of color and women; and encouraging environmentally sensitive community development. It believes all individuals should have access to programs regardless of their criminal history, drug use, personal challenges, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs, if they are committed to making a positive change in their own life.

The Outer Harbor Management Group is an event management team of Be Our Guest LTD, a subsidiary of Rich Products Corp. The Outer Harbor Management Group is committed to the world-class management and execution of daily programming and events at Buffalo's Outer Harbor. Working collaboratively with government and public partners, its mission is to provide the WNY community with public access and creative programming that maximizes this unique space on Buffalo's waterfront.

ECHDC is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two non-voting, ex-officio directors.

As a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state's chief economic development agency, ECHDC supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor, attracting critical mass, private investment and enhancing the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York's waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo, based on the region's legacy of pride, urban significance and natural beauty. For more information on ECHDC, visit www.eriecanalharbor.com.

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