The Hamburg Natural History Society is thrilled to announce the largest gift in the society’s history: an $827,000 grant from Erie County for the construction of a permanent bathroom facility at Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve.
Awarded under the Erie County Cultural Capital Grant program, grant funds will be applied towards ongoing development of a smaller parcel within the larger 54-acre park. The 4-acre parcel is currently undergoing phased construction, with the end goal of completing a new entrance and parking area on Jeffrey Blvd. in Hamburg.
Phase 1, featuring site work to bring the former quarry up to grade while addressing drainage issues, was recently completed with donations from the International Union of Operating Engineers – Local 17, the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District, Marrano Homes, and Lardon Construction. Phase 2, which features a picnic pavilion and other amenities, is ready to commence thanks to a $250,000 grant from NY Assembly Member Jon Rivera and a $100,000 grant from the Town of Hamburg.
The bathroom facility will be part of the third phase of construction, which also includes the first-ever installation of utilities (water, sewer, electrical, gas) at Penn Dixie. The grant from Erie County covers these critical infrastructure needs and allows the society to continue to develop the park for its growing audience of fossil collectors and science enthusiasts.
Growth has been very rapid, as the organization has seen program revenue increase by 45% from 2021 to 2022, and again by 45% from 2022 to 2023. Program revenue includes admissions, K-16 field trips, special events, private tours, birthday parties, and outreach programs. Penn Dixie welcomed 17,065 visitors in 2023, its second-highest yearly figure ever. Only 2017 had higher attendance (17,957 visitors), thanks to a special viewing of the partial solar eclipse which drew 2,200 guests.
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“The Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve is a unique and irreplaceable natural attraction that has been literally millions of years in the making and now draws thousands of visitors to explore and learn about what our area looked like 380 million years ago. Erie County is proud to join partners in supporting this national treasure and this funding will help to ensure that the Penn Dixie site can accommodate more guests more comfortably,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Building critical infrastructure at the site will provide better experiences for all and is another step forward in improving the Park so that future generations can come here to travel millions of years back in time.”
Erie County Legislator John J. Gilmour says, “I am proud to play a part in supporting the development of such a wonderful natural attraction that Penn Dixie is. I look forward to supporting its continued growth in the future.”
Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera says, “Penn Dixie was founded by passionate volunteers in 1993, who had the foresight and dedication to preserve this geological site for generations. Their vigor for this natural treasure chest has been crucial in securing grant funding and getting support since day one. Despite budget cuts and funding gaps, they persevered, and I’m so proud to see that pay off for them with today’s infusion of funding from Erie County. It’s my hope that with this funding, and the $250,000 I awarded them in 2022, Penn Dixie becomes Buffalo’s worst kept secret. Everyone should visit and see this center for the scientific and cultural contributions they make on our region, and today’s funding brings that reality even closer.”
Hamburg Supervisor Randy Hoak says, “The Town of Hamburg is very excited about this next phase of Penn Dixie’s capital project. Penn Dixie is a community treasure that brings visitors to Hamburg from across the globe. Our contributions to their success will bring a return that will benefit students, families, and lifelong learners for years to come. We applaud Erie County for stepping up to help Penn Dixie address their visitor’s number one concern (and their number two concerns!).”
Hamburg Town Councilwoman Elizabeth Farrell Lorentz says “Penn Dixie is a unique, and valuable, community and regional asset. Throughout my tenure as Councilwoman in the Town of Hamburg I have been committed to fortifying the town’s ongoing support and partnership with Penn Dixie as they advance their vision and mission. Over five years ago discussions between Penn Dixie, Operating Engineer Local 17 representatives, then Traffic Safety Coordinator Jerry Giglio, and myself took place to address the long-sought improvement of relocating Penn Dixie’s entrance and parking area. In turn, those improvements have led to plans for additional patron amenities made possible by funding from our county and state representatives along with the town. It has been a terrific process of collaboration between entities.”
Executive Director Dr. Phil Stokes says “Penn Dixie is thrilled to receive this major gift, the largest in the society’s history, from the people of Erie County. We are grateful to County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Legislator John Gilmour, and the entire Erie County Legislature for supporting the establishment of critical infrastructure at Penn Dixie. The 54-acre park has gotten by for 28 years with little more than portable toilets, and our number one complaint is that there is no place to wash hands or change a diaper. Penn Dixie’s fossils, which received national attention over the summer following a major discovery, are collected and known by everyone from school children to world-renowned scientists. We are flush with fossils, and soon tens of thousands of seasonal visitors will be able to flush after a day of hunting for Erie County’s famous geological treasures.”
Erie County Capital Grant Info: https://www3.erie.gov/environment/cultural-capital-grant-program
