Designed and built by Frank Parlato Jr.

Hidden Hollow: From a flier distributed when the lots were being marketed

 

Instead of using a bulldozer to clean the lots, Parlato's crews hand cleared the underbrush around trees, preserving each carefully, then setting the houses –tucked into woodland settings, in a way which would maximize view. Instead of waiting 20 years for planted trees to grow, lot owners moved into their new-built homes with mature trees all around -- creating an impression that Hidden Hollow had an established elegance.

Aerial view of the Hidden Hollow

Parlato’s design ran counter to standard engineering. The developer wanted a winding road that mimicked the course of winding Rush Creek --which ran through the property. A debate emerged over aesthetics versus convenience, rights of the individual versus the officials of the government representing the people of the community. Parlato wanted a narrow country road that rose up and down following the woodland terrain.

On every issue esthetics won – except on a plan to plant trees close to the road, in the town-owned the right of way.

A view of the Hidden Hollow showing the country road that rises up and down following the woodland terrain

Parlato built one of the finer subdivisions in the region. One which has been called a model for suburban “green” development.
The McGraw Hill publication Construction News noted in a front page story that Hidden Hollow was an achievement in design, esthetics and use of green space;  environmentally friendly and economically viable.

Parlato noted his lots sold faster and for more money because of the “green space”. An editorial Parlato published in the Buffalo News, “Preserve our forests, a national treasure” gives the developer’s viewpoint.

A single article he wrote for the Buffalo News HomeFinder had a description and map of the subdivision, (showing the permanently –dedicated forested areas behind the houses as well as the location and size of the lots). Prior to any house being built, from that article alone, he sold 10 of the 24 building lots ensuring the financial success of Hidden Hollow.

View of the dedicated forest area

 

The green arrow points out the location of Hidden Hollow

 

Related links on Hidden Hollow

• Green Space
• Hamburg Development stresses Forest Preservation
• Trees, health and taxes are all suprisingly linked
• Preserve our forests, a national treasure
• Hamburg Residents protest loss of trees