SCHUMER, KENNEDY ANNOUNCE $4+ MILLION IN FED FUNDING TO REVITALIZE NORTH TONAWANDA’S PAYNE PARK AND HELP BUILD NEW POOL & AQUATIC FACILITY FOR WNY FAMILIES
Funding Comes From National Park Service’s Land & Water Conservation Fund, Which Senator Successfully Fought To Permanently Reauthorize In 2019
Schumer: North Tonawanda, Get Ready To Swim!
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Congressman Tim Kennedy announced $4,084,000 in federal funding for North Tonawanda to revitalize the aquatics facility at Payne Park, including the installation of a new pool, after the previous facility was forced to close due to safety concerns leaving many families without a local pool option.
“Get ready to swim, North Tonawanda! I’m thrilled to announce $4+ million is headed to revitalize Payne Park and help bring swimming and summer fun back to this community,” said Senator Schumer. “The Memorial Pool Redevelopment project will create a new aquatics facility, including a new pool, for our children and families to enjoy during the hot summer months. I fought to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund and I’m thrilled that today the program is delivering this federal funding to support the North Tonawanda community.”
“This funding will transform Payne Park for generations of families in North Tonawanda and beyond,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “This project will provide modern aquatic facilities for children to take swim lessons and for members of the community to enjoy our beautiful Western New York summers. This is one more example of the positive impact that federal investment has on people’s lives, boosting quality of life and creating more livable and equitable neighborhoods.”
“We are incredibly grateful to the National Parks Service for awarding North Tonawanda $4.1 million toward our new $8.2 million Payne Park Pool,” said North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec. “This project is a major step in improving our community spaces for families and future generations. I want to extend a special thank you to Senator Chuck Schumer for his strong support and to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for their valuable partnership. Their efforts have been key in bringing this vision to life for our city.”
The funding comes from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which Schumer successfully pushed to permanently reauthorize. North Tonawanda’s historic Payne Park’s Memorial Pool was closed indefinitely in 2023 due to deteriorating conditions and safety concerns, but with this funding, North Tonawanda can develop a new aquatics facility, including a lap pool, a new pool deck, shade structures, and other site and safety improvements. This new facility will modernize the Memorial Pool, improve safety, and provide the community with a centrally-located area to enjoy water activities.
The funding comes through the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy grant program, which is funded through the LWCF. In 2019, Schumer successfully fought to permanently reauthorize the program which has invested more than $336 million in funding to protect public lands, water resources, and historic sites across New York State.
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