Scajaquada Creek runs through the heart of Erie County, from near the Walden Galleria to the Niagara River in Black Rock and Riverside, an important waterway since this region was first settled.

But what does the future hold for the creek -- and what could it become? That’s the discussion featured in this month’s Scajaquada Full Circle Speaker Series.

The series of four talks, hosted at the Burchfield Penny Art Center at 1300 Elmwood Avenue, is being presented by the Black Rock Riverside Alliance, in partnership with the Scajaquada Corridor Coalition and the Black Rock Historical Society with support from the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

Last week’s session provided an overview of the creek’s historical importance as a lifeline for the Indigenous population of Western New York and how that continued well into the 1900s.

Tomorrow night, September 10, will highlight the creek’s environmental importance. There will be two sets of speakers: Connie Adams and Erin Redding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will discuss Scajaquada Creek’s importance to migrating waterfowl and its distinction as a wetland of international significance, in addition to the role the creek plays for fisheries and for eco-tourism. They will be followed by Sandra Smith from Buffalo Niagara Waterkeepr, who will discuss environmental improvements and planning for the creek’s future, including the possible goal of taking out the metal dam in the creek near Buff State to allow for recreational use of the creek with kayaks, paddleboards, and other small devices.

The speaker series continues on September 17 with a focus on the economic development potential the creek could have for Buffalo and Erie County’s future and an overview of a redesign and redevelopment proposal that would uncover sections of the creek that are currently buried.

Registration is encouraged for the events and can be done here.

Tesla, Kurt Deimer, and Stretch at Artpark

A short Gallery of the September 4 performances at Artpark. The performance list includes: Tesla, Kurt Deimer, and Stretch

Gallery Credit: Gus - BackstageAxxess

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