LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. — At a special Common Council meeting held at City Hall on Tuesday, July 21st, all seven alderpersons voted unanimously to sign a memorandum of agreement confirming a new partnership with Feldmeier Equipment to restore the Burke Park bandstand and make broader improvements to the park.
Burke Park was originally known as Western Park before being renamed in honor of Dr. Bernard J. Burke, one of the city’s renowned physicians, whose memorial stands at the park’s southwest corner.
It’s one of several public green spaces scattered throughout Little Falls, alongside Ward Square (formerly Eastern Park), Moreland Park, Sterzinar Park, Rotary Park, Columbus Park, Furnace Street Park, Reverend Francis Bellamy Park, Sabin’s Park, and Benton’s Landing Park.
The bandstand slated for restoration holds particular significance: it’s the last remaining original bandstand in Little Falls.
Built in the Victorian style, the structure reflects the civic architecture common to American public parks in the late nineteenth century, featuring a steep pyramidal roof and finial, decorative arches, and a radiating beadboard ceiling.
The restoration effort has been championed by Preserve Our Past, a not-for-profit made up of citizens dedicated to preserving architecturally significant buildings across the city.
“This is what community partnership looks like. The generosity of the Feldmeier Corporation and CEO Colby Clark will create something that residents can enjoy and take pride in for generations to come,” said Ed Reisert, Chairperson of Preserve Our Past.
Jayne Ritz, a longtime member of Preserve Our Past, echoed that sentiment, “Wonderful things come in small & in large packages. A small jewel of a bandstand & a company that makes the gold standard of stainless steel tanks – both of fine design & workmanship partnering to give our city things to be so proud of!”
Mena Cerone, Vice-Chair of Preserve Our Past, added, “Preserve Our Past Board members appreciate all those who generously supported the bandstand restoration, especially the Feldmeier family who will make it possible to complete this project.”
Mayor Deborah Kaufman called the agreement a milestone for the city.
“This partnership with Feldmeier is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when private generosity and public purpose come together. Working collaboratively with Preserve Our Past, the City and Feldmeier will ensure the historic integrity of the renovation is fully protected. Without the community spirit, generosity, and vision of Colby Clark, CEO of Feldmeier, this project would not have been possible. His willingness to underwrite the full restoration of our historic bandstand—and to honor the Feldmeier family’s lasting contributions to Little Falls—ensures that this cherished landmark will once again stand as a source of pride and gathering for generations of residents,” Kaufman said.
Feldmeier Equipment, founded in 1952 by Robert Feldmeier, is still owned and operated by the third generation of the Feldmeier family. The company builds custom stainless steel tanks and pressure vessels for the food, beverage, brewing, dairy, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, and operates facilities in Syracuse, Little Falls, Montgomery, Alabama, and Shell Rock, Iowa — giving it a longstanding local presence in the city it’s now helping to restore.
More information about the company is available at feldmeier.com.
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