Empire State Development (ESD) and the City of Olean have started work on a project to renovate Marcus Park, located at North 15th and Sullivan streets. The initiative, with a budget exceeding $2 million, aims to support community development and neighborhood growth by improving public spaces and redeveloping neglected structures.
“Today’s groundbreaking means Olean will soon have a vibrant new park to help revitalize a neighborhood and attract new residents,” said ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “Governor Hochul is a strong advocate for parks because they provide families and visitors a getaway that is affordable, relaxing, and nearby when they need it most. This is just the type of project the Regional Council envisioned supporting and I am proud we can help create a place that everyone can enjoy.”
The redesigned 3.59-acre park is expected to be completed in Fall 2025. Planned features include ADA-compliant restrooms, picnic areas with tables and grills, a new shelter, an inclusive playground, youth ball field, fenced dog park, lighting, security cameras, utilities upgrades, and a shared use path connecting to the Allegheny River Valley Trail. New landscaping will add trees for shade.
City of Olean Mayor William J. Aiello commented on the significance of the location: “Marcus Park is located in a wonderful neighborhood, full of families and children. Flanked by Washington West Elementary School and Intandem facilities, it is the perfect place for a full-service park featuring the first inclusive playground in Cattaraugus County. I am very appreciative of the funding that the City received from Empire State Development and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, as well as from the Olean Region Community Foundation. I would also like to thank Intandem and the Intandem Foundation for collaborating with the City to provide all children in our community with a safe and inviting playground.”
Funding for this project comes from several sources: ESD’s Capital Improvement Grants for Pro-Housing Communities Program contributed $752,675 through the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council; an additional $500,000 grant was provided by New York State; $23,803.51 came from the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation; nonprofit partner Intandem contributed $600,000 specifically for building an inclusive playground.
New York State Parks Commissioner Randy Simons stated: “New York State Parks welcomes Marcus Park to the park family! In these times, places to unplug and play both mentally and physically are more important than ever. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council for investing in this very important park and I am pleased that New York State Parks can partner on making this a reality.”
Mari L. Howard, President and CEO of Intandem added: “Every child deserves to play alongside their friends, whatever their abilities. This playground ensures everyone gets a seat at the sandbox, swing, and slide.”
The Capital Improvement Grants for Pro-Housing Communities Program supports projects within communities certified as pro-housing by providing funding intended to encourage economic development through increased housing access as well as infrastructure improvements.
Olean joined this program in May 2024 before applying for aid under Round XIV of Governor Hochul’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative using New York’s Consolidated Funding Application process.
WNYREDC Co-Chairs Eric Reich (Campus Labs Co-Founder) and Steve Stoute (Canisius College President) said: “The redevelopment of Marcus Park is turning an eyesore into a beautiful place for members of the community to enjoy the outdoors. Parks are meant to be beautiful and safe, and when the Marcus Park project is completed it will have transformed from a blighted site to an active play and relaxation space that will give residents a new reason to promote and be proud of the City of Olean.”
Empire State Development serves as New York’s main economic development agency overseeing regional councils across ten regions statewide while promoting business growth through programs such as ConnectALL broadband equity efforts [https://esd.ny.gov/], workforce initiatives via its Office of Strategic Workforce Development [https://esd.ny.gov/workforce-development], assistance centers supporting small businesses [https://esd.ny.gov/small-business-hub], tourism promotion [https://www.iloveny.com/], clean energy sector engagement [https://esd.ny.gov/industries/clean-energy], semiconductor manufacturing expansion [https://esd.ny.gov/industries/semiconductors], among other activities.
