The foundation of late Bills Owner Ralph Wilson today will make a combined $200M donation to develop public parks and trails in Southeast Michigan and Western New York to coincide with what would have been Wilson’s 100th birthday. Each region will receive $100M as part of the donation, earmarked for West Riverfront Park in Detroit and LaSalle Park in Buffalo. A regional trail system will be connected to each location. Wilson was the original owner of the Bills and grew up in the Detroit area. Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation President & CEO Dave Egner said upon Wilson’s passing in '14 and the subsequent sale of the team, most of his assets were transferred to an irrevocable trust, with the foundation being the sole beneficiary. Egner, who has led the foundation since January ’15, said Wilson only had one mandate for the group, aside from the understanding the funds would go to community causes: “Spend it all in 20 years.” The foundation then quickly turned its focus on Western New York and Southeast Michigan -- Wilson’s home communities. Egner: “We realized with his birthday coming up there was a tremendous opportunity to make a meaningful gift to both cities.” Egner cited Wilson’s longstanding commitment to both communities, especially his passion for the Bills, in deciding upon the two areas. Egner also cited data showing only about 15% of children in both regions are getting the recommended exercise they need to live healthy lives, as well as the possibility of economic gains through job creation and tourism. As part of the funding, each region will receive $40M towards the construction of the park, with another $10M going towards endowment support. Another $40M will then be put towards closing physical gaps in the trails, with $10M also designated towards maintaining the trails over the years to come.
