City of Tonawanda
Parks & Recreation Department
150 Fillmore Avenue
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Amanda A. Lofft,
Director of Recreation
Within the 4 square mile area of the City of Tonawanda, there are five parks, one pool/wading pool, four sports/ recreational areas, 5 miles of trail, docking facilities, one band shell and nine playgrounds. Various shelters are available for rental in Veteran’s Park and Eastern Park. The Clinton Park gazebo and the gazebo behind Tonawanda City Hall are available for rental in 3-hour increments for weddings, etc.
Park Shelter Permits (716) 505-1172
Park permits for Veterans Park and Eastern Park can be obtained in the Parks Office at the Department of Public Works building at 150 Fillmore Avenue. Permits must be obtained in person and will be available for rental starting Monday, February 4, 2013. Permits will be available in the Parks Office from 7:00am-12noon and 1:00pm-3:00pm. These two parks are open for permits from May 25th to September 8th. Call 505-1172 for information. Permits can be purchased using cash, check or money orders.
Shelter Maps:
SHELTER PERMIT POLICY
WE CANNOT ALLOW:
1. Bands and sound systems.
2. Erection of tents and canopies.
3. Use of generators.
4. Conducting animal rides.
5. Utilization of caterers without prior approval.
6. Inflatable jump houses or similar entertainment equipment.
7. Dogs.
8. Glass containers.
9. Not-for-profit/charitable organizations may not conduct fundraising activities without prior application and approval from the City of Tonawanda Common Council.
ADDITIONAL PARK RULES - Equipment may be borrowed from the park office:
1. All refuse/garbage must be put in the provided refuse containers, with lids securely closed. City garbage totes are limited.
2. Steel horseshoes can only be used in the horseshoe pits by the Veterans Park office or at Eastern Park. Rubber horseshoes may be used at other shelters.
3. The sand volleyball court and shuffleboard area are for use by all shelters.
4. The use of staples on the shelters or picnic tables is prohibited. Tape is allowed or see the park attendant about tablecloth holders.
5. Please be advised that there is NO parking on the grass. Vehicles may only enter Veterans Park with attendant permission and then the vehicle will allowed to be standing for no longer than 5 minutes (motor running).
6. Adjacent baseball/softball fields cannot be used without a permit.
7. All shelters have charcoal grills for permit holder’s use. Additional grills or fire pits that do not meet fire department approval may not be brought to the park or used.
8. Picnic tables may not be moved from the shelter.
PARK SHELTER OCCUPANCY LIMITS
1. Approximately 60 people may be seated, in Vets Park shelters 3 - 6. (8 tables)
2. Approximately 72 - 90 people may be seated, in Vets Park shelters 1 - 2. (12 tables)
3. Approximately 84 - 115 people may be seated at Eastern Park. (14 tables)
NOTE: The Parks Department reserves the right to limit the number of people under this permit to prevent over-crowding of the park and/or parking lot facilities. Activities such as wedding receptions and corporate picnics are better suited at Eastern Park.
PARKING
Parking is limited at Veterans Park and we highly recommend car-pooling so that all may share the parking lot.
This Park is located between Adam Street and Niagara Streets, near the intersection of Niagara Street and Two Mile Creek Road. There are two large and four smaller shelters available for rental. Park amenities include electric in all shelters, a large playground area, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, grills, lavatories and a Veterans Monument. Please note dogs are only allowed, on a leash, from 6:00AM-9:00AM May 1st - September 30th, and when park is open October 1st - April 30th, as per City ordinance.
Park Shelter # Resident Cost/Non-Resident Cost
Veterans Park 1 or 2 $75 RESIDENT/ $150 NON-RESIDENT
Veterans Park 3, 4, 5, 6 $50 RESIDENT/ $75 NON-RESIDENT
This Park is located on Fillmore Avenue near the Twin Cities Memorial Highway, and is more suited for larger, private parties. Electric is included in the permit price; refrigerated truck hook-up is available as are horseshoes and a net for volleyball games.
Eastern Park Whole Park $75.00/resident & $150.00/non resident. Please note dogs are only allowed, on a leash, from 6:00AM-9:00AM May 1st - September 30th, and when park is open October 1st - April 30th, as per City ordinance.
CLINTON PARK OR CITY HALL GAZEBOS
2013 reservations for rentals begin September 30, 2012, call 505-1172 for more information. Rental fees are for 3 hour increments, city resident rate $25/3 hours, non resident $50/3 hours.
NIAWANDA PARK PAVILION
click here for WGRZ video
http://www.wgrz.com/video/2216071986001/1/Unique-Places-Waterfront-Pavilion
NIAWANDA PARK
Located on the scenic Niagara River, it’s a popular location to take a walk, roller-blade or jog on the riverwalk path; enjoy your lunch, catch some sun or have some solitary time. See our events schedule for bandshell concerts and special events throughout the summer. Please note that parking is not allowed on the grass unless posted for special events and dogs are only allowed, on a leash, from 6:00am-9:00am May 1st-September 30th, and when park is open October 1st - April 30th, as per City ordinance.
GATEWAY HARBOR PARK
Gateway Harbor Park is becoming the hub of activity in the downtown area. Concerts and activities are scheduled from mid-June through October. (See Events and Activities on the City of Tonawanda’s home page for schedules and information).
Food, beverage and activity vendors are welcome to apply by contacting the Tonawandas Gateway Harbor Corporation. If you are interested in becoming involved with the park you may receive an application for vending or activities by e-mailing recreation@ci.tonawanda.ny.us.
Current Gateway Docking Fees as per 2005 Ordinance
With Electric & Water (overnight)
Commercial boats $35.00
25’ & Under boats $15.00
26’ to 40’ boats $20.00
41’ & Over boats $25.00
Without Electric & Water (overnight)
Commercial boats $35.00
25’ & Under boats $10.00
26’ to 40’ boats $15.00
41’ & Over boats $20.00
Daily Fees (daily until 10:00pm, with or without electric)
25’ & Under boats $ 5.00
26’ to 40’ boats $10.00
41’ & Over boats $15.00
Commercial boats $25.00
Overnight parking permit fee - Gateway Harbor Docking Facilities:
Boat guests who have over the one vehicle allotted as per ordinance must pay a $4.00 overnight parking permit.
TREES
To report a tree problem, please call 505-1172 and ask that a card be filled out.
Removals:
We often receive requests from residents to have trees cut down. Please understand that unless a city tree is structurally unsafe, it will not be removed. Another situation involves tree roots that grow into a homeowner’s lateral sewer line. While we understand that the roots cause a problem with the sewer line, we will not remove a healthy tree for that reason alone. Removing the tree will not remove your sewer problems.
If you decide to have your sewer line replaced, this may cause a different situation. In certain cases, the trench dug for the new sewer line will harm a tree, causing it to become unsafe. In this case, the City will remove the tree at no cost to the homeowner. We will need to see a contract in hand.
Trims:
At this time, only hazardous trims are being addressed quickly. We will address trims street by street, beginning in the spring, as time permits.
Plantings:
If you are interested in having a tree planted between the sidewalk and the curb, please call 505-1172 to place your request. We will let you know if a planting is possible. Trees will be offered in suitable locations in 2010 without charge to the homeowner. In cases where we do not feel a planting between the sidewalk and the curb is appropriate, we may offer you a tree for your front lawn. In the past three years, we have planted over 300 new trees in the City.
It is against City ordinance to plant a tree or remove a tree on City property, which includes between the sidewalk and the curb. Fines can be hefty.
TREE MEMORIAL PROGRAM
The City has a Tree Memorial Park located on Two Mile Creek Road. Please contact the Parks & Recreation Office at 505-1172 for an application. Due to space limitations, tree memorials are for City residents only.
The cost is $350, which includes a commemorative plaque. Applications are due by March 1st for spring plantings and September 1st for fall plantings.
webmaster: coverholt@ci.tonawanda.ny.us