By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The new head of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy takes lawmakers on a tour Friday to show off the city's cultural, green gem.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Joyce Kryszak's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod. Also, you can find an extended conversation with Conservancy Chief Executive Jonathan Holifield here on this web site, which can also be downloaded as a podcast.
Jonathan Holifield has been on the job for about six weeks now as the Conservancy's Chief Executive Officer. He takes on the duties at a time of great transition both within the organization, and with its growing responsibilities.
But Holifield said he already has a good handle on the job. And a full appreciation for the parks system.
"In a word, extraordinary," said Holifield.
He said Friday's tour will be a bit of a show-and-tell for lawmakers. He wants them to see how valuable the parks are to the region.
The Conservancy's responsibility maintaining those assets has grown.
The non-profit group stitches together a network of staff and volunteers, funded through grants, donations and its contract with the county to maintain the city park system.
Holifield, whose background is in law and executive management, said the collaboration is beginning to bear fruit.
Holifield, lawmakers and other officials will talk more about those challenges as they tour the 1,200 acre park system.