Park Projects

Please consider attending an Olmsted Community Alliance meeting or reaching out to Zhi Ting Phua, Director of Engagement and Inclusion at Zhi@bfloparks.org.

Systemwide Projects

Signage and Wayfinding

• Funding Source: NYPA Greenway Funds & Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
• Project Scope: Update city signage manual; refurbish/refresh existing park sign facades; design and install new signs (Phase I)
• Current status: Refreshed signs nearly complete; new signs have been ordered and Installations will occur by the EOY
• Anticipated Timeline: Phase I installations to be complete by end of 2023
• Phase II: Will include the addition of new orientation, directional and interpretive signage.  Funding has not been secured to date for Phase II

Riverside District Projects

Riverside Park Baseball Field

• Funding Source: DASNY Grant & Councilmember Golombek
• Project Scope: New baseball backstop, bleachers and fencing; pitchers mound regrading and improvements to the diamond
• Current Status: Completed

Riverside Perimeter Security – City of Buffalo Project

• Project Scope: As a safety measure, perimeter boulders will be placed to deter vehicles from driving on the grass
• Current Status: Planned for 2024 completion

West District Projects

Prospect Park Pathways and Benches

• Funding Source: NYPA Greenway Funds & Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
• Project Scope: Existing asphalt pathways were installed throughout both halves of the park to historic alignment, with new benches placed
• Current Status: Completed

Front Park Perimeter Security – City of Buffalo Project

• Project Scope: Installation of perimeter boulders and entry gate to limit vehicles driving through the park as a safety measure.

MLK Jr. District Projects

MLK Jr. Park Improvements

• Funding Source: Empire State Development
• Project Scope and Phases: Safety Lighting, Greenhouse Restoration, Pathway Reconstruction, Signage, Site Amenities
• Current Status and Anticipated Timeline:
  • Phase I: Safety Lighting: Installation of new Olmsted pedestrian poles on the East side of the park, around the parking lot by MLK Shelter and Greenhouse. Installation of taller Olmsted-standard overhead light poles by the Humboldt Basin, new basketball courts, and new police cameras. Phase I nearing completion.
  • Phase II: Greenhouse: In design phase
  • Pathways and Site Amenities: Design to occur with community engagement in fall of 2023 with goal to complete installation by 2024.
  • Signage: This project falls under the Systemwide Wayfinding Project

MLK Jr. Park Perimeter Improvements – City of Buffalo Project

• Project Scope: Additional wood bollards and boulders around the park perimeter to limit vehicles driving through the park as a safety measure
• Current Status: Complete

MLK Jr. Park Monument Plaza Improvements

• Funding Source: Erie County ARPA and Empire State Development
• Project Scope: Artistic lighting at monument plaza
• Current Status: Construction to begin fall 2023
• Anticipated Timeline: To be completed by end of 2023

MLK Jr. Park Casino Renovations – City of Buffalo Project

• Project Scope: Renovate interior of the Casino

South District Projects

Cazenovia Park Playground & Splash Pad Repairs

• Funding Source: Erie County & City of Buffalo ARPA
• Project Scope: New inclusive playground by Caz Casino and splash pad grading rehabilitation for improved drainage
• Current Status: Design finalized. Equipment ordered
• Anticipated Timeline: Anticipated construction to take place late October 2024, completion by end of 2024

Cazenovia Park – Creek Pathway Reconstruction – City of Buffalo Project

• Project Scope: Reconstruct and realign pathways on south side of Cazenovia Creek
• Current Status: Project completed

Cazenovia Casino – City of Buffalo Project

• Project Scope: Facility condition assessment for possible future renovations. Roof replacement of the building
• Current Status: Facility condition assessment complete
• Timeline: Roof replacement to take place in 2024, paid for the by the City of Buffalo

Cazenovia Park Soccer Field at Potters Road

• Project Scope: To restore and protect the soccer field. o Scope of the work includes crowning improvements, drainage, perimeter access, control, addition of gate
• Current Status: Hired landscape architect Molly Vendura to assist with RFP process. Currently in the RFP review process.
• Timeline: RFP is anticipated to be released by end of 2024

South Park Clubhouse/Visitor Center

• Funding Source: Erie County ARPA and Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Funds
• Project Scope: ADA restroom upgrades
• Current Status: Hired Rodriguez Construction Group as the contractor. Drawings have been approved by City of Buffalo
• Anticipated Timeline: Anticipated construction start date in October 2024

South Park Arboretum Restoration – Phase II Nursery Complex

• Funding Source: Private Donors
• Project Scope: RFP for Nursery Complex Design
• Current Status: Conceptual design plans underway

South Park Bridge – City of Buffalo Project

• Project Scope: Reconstruction of bridge
• Current Status: Project completed

South Park Ring Road – Multi-Partner Project

• Funding Source: City of Buffalo / NY State Grant
• Project Scope: Boulders to be installed at the Hopkins Road entrance to South Park as Park Drive is closed to vehicular traffic. City of Buffalo, Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, Erie County and BOPC are coordinating on a more permanent resolution ring road between the entrance and Golf pro shop exit along South Park Avenue

Delaware District Projects

Marcy Casino West Stair Replacement – City of Buffalo Project

• Project Scope: Replace concrete stairs at west side of Marcy Casino from Rose Garden down to Hoyt Lake
• Current Status: Nearly complete

Marcy Casino Exterior Doors

• Project Scope: Repair and paint exterior doors of Marcy Casino (at Rose Garden level and Lake level) and some interior doors
• Current Status: In communication with City

Grand Staircase

• Funding Source: Private donations, Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
• Project Scope: Repair historic granite staircase at Hoyt Lake
• Current Status: Complete

Delaware Park Ring Road Closure – Multiple Partners

• Funding Source: City of Buffalo / NY State Grant
• Project Scope: To design attractive permanent barriers in coordination with the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Zoo and BOPC operations now that Ring Road is officially closed to vehicle traffic via Common Council vote

Playground at Colvin Avenue and Amherst Street

• Funding Source: Erie County ARPA and City of Buffalo ARPA
• Project Scope: New inclusive playground and ADA pathway
• Current Status: Existing playground to be removed. New playground to be constructed this Fall
• Anticipated Timeline: Site work began September 4, 2024 through the Fall

Point of Meadow Shelter Enhancement

• Funding Source: Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Funds
• Project Scope: Renovate bathrooms and basement interior with the goal of year-round restroom access
• Current Status: Contractor selected
• Anticipated Timeline: Construction anticipated by end of 2023; completion by end of 2024

Rose Garden Restoration

• Funding Source: Private Donor
• Project Scope: Multi-Phase Project – Phase 1 restoration of historic rose garden and pergola painting
• Current Status: 8 beds renovated; irrigation repaired; pergola painted. As of Spring 2024, project on pause

Please consider attending an Olmsted Community Alliance meeting or emailing a Conservancy staff member:

Zhi Ting Phua, Director of Engagement and Inclusion
Zhi@bfloparks.org

Please note that we are doing our best to keep this webpage updated. Anticipated timelines and schedules are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.