MAYOR MASIELLO/BUFFALO QUARTERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY CELEBRATE PHASE I COMPLETION OF BRODERICK PARK UNDERGROUND RAILROAD "FREEDOM MEMORIAL"
July 24, 2000
Contact: Peter K. Cutler (716) 851-4841

BUFFALO (7/24/00) - Mayor Anthony M. Masiello, Niagara District Councilman Dominic Bonifacio, and the Buffalo Quarters Historical Society is proud to announce the completion of Phase I construction of the Underground Railroad "Freedom Memorial' at Broderick Park.

The City of Buffalo provided $80,000 in funds to compete Phase I of the project. Phase I improvements include removal of pavement, earthwork, new pavement and paths, plantings, restored greenspace, an amphitheater and stage. Broderick Park, a terminus of the Underground Railroad, is the site of annual re-enactments of slave river crossings sponsored by the Buffalo Quarters Historical Society.

Mayor Anthony M. Masiello, a long time supporter of the organization, is calling on Western New Yorkers to embrace our rich local history and celebrate its role as a last stop on the Underground Railroad before freedom in Canada.

"Our local history is rich with the contributions of Abolitionists, white and black, who worked together for the sake of humanity and the freedom of slaves," stated Mayor Masiello. "It is in the spirit of the Underground Railroad movement that we honor those who with courage and faith provided us with a path to follow. This historic site will forever commemorate and celebrate the sacrifice of those daring to help their fellow human beings and the immutable spirit of righteousness that sustained enslaved individuals who risked their lives to live in freedom."

Engraved Freedom Bricks and Freedom Blocks designed for the Freedom Memorial Walk will be placed in the park. Western New Yorkers will be able to purchase them through the Buffalo Quarters Historical Society, thereby helping support future development efforts.

Phase II will include, the " FreedomWalk" interpretive pathway, a time capsule, life size "Escape Scene"-bronze statuary, meditation gardens and an extension toward Bird Island Pier.

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