The village was awarded a grant in April from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to be used in Davis Park. The money could be used for a bandshell, which was the focus of a recent presentation from Mayor Jim Jaroszynski during the board’s June meeting featuring AI-generated images of potential band shell structures that could be erected with the $30,000 grant.

Board member Timothy Dunn said he was concerned about the size of the structure in relation to the space available in Davis Park while board member Anthony Cavallaro raised concerns about the available space in the park, notifying the Falconer Kiwanis Club about plans for the existing gazebo in the park and parking available in the area if more traffic is expected in the park. Cavallaro also said needed repairs to the Falconer Community Building are a more pressing need.

Board members made no firm decisions regarding Davis Park in June, choosing instead to accept Davis Park Live grant funding so the village can decide how best to improve Davis Park. A committee is going to be formed for the project to further discuss plans and involve clubs that use Davis Park regularly.

Jaroszynski also submitted a grant application to the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth earlier this year for upgrades to Davis Park. That grant, according to the board’s February meeting minutes, is also related to the proposed bandshell project.

The gazebo in Davis Park, Falconer, is pictured. P-J photo by John Whittaker

Davis Park is home to the village’s Summer Band Concert Series, a movie series in the summer and Farmers and Artisans Market while also boasting free public wifi, a gazebo and seating.

In addition to a possible bandshell, Davis Park is among the village parks that the village is trying to improve with state Environmental Protection Fund Parks Program, Municipal Parks and Recreation grants. Village officials want to create a connected network of trails and sidewalks to lnk all village parks for walking and biking.