City May 26, 2012 11:11 AM

Buffalo: A waterfront transforms

Buffalo: A waterfront transforms
queenseyes
queenseyes 21
Over the weekend I'm going to be posting some visuals of our waterfront that will make you think twice and look twice. Starting with Mutual Riverfront Park (see more) - a park that will soon be open to the public - we are seeing a transformation along the Buffalo River that is absolutely captivating. With shady areas to sit, riverfront vistas, attractive wayfinding, sensitive connectivity, thoughtful landscaping, boulders, walkways, paths and trails... this is one park that has transformed almost overnight into a place where rest and recreation is a way of life.

Summers in Buffalo will never be the same. Did you know that this park is within a short walk from Canalside? It's also accessible by boat and bike. Plus, you will be able to launch canoes and kayaks... and even store them there when you're not using them. There's going to be concessions, outdoor music and theater, walks and talks, parties and festivals... all within view of the industrial grain elevators that act as a breathtaking backdrop to Mutual Riverfront Park. Just take a look...

*The project is being funded 100% by the New York Power Authority, and landscape architect is Dean Gowen (through Hatch Associates). The project manager is Larry Zamojski. 

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21 Comments Leave a comment
Captain Picard
May 26, 2012 11:56 AM
Captain Picard

Very nice!

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Chad Johnson
May 26, 2012 1:09 PM
Chad Johnson

Where exactly is this?

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300miles
May 26, 2012 3:58 PM
300miles

Hamburg St and South St

http://www.buffalorising.com/assets_c/2012/03/1-Mutual-Riverfront-Park-Buffalo-NY-27245.html

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replied to Chad Johnson
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buffaloroam
May 26, 2012 4:10 PM
buffaloroam

Glad to see that Power Authority Money finally doing something good. Where exactly is that all going, does anyone know? Its about 2 million a year which is a lot.

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afraccica
May 26, 2012 7:26 PM
afraccica

I'm interested in the last part of this comment, "Plus, you will be able to launch canoes and kayaks... and even store them there when you're not using them." What does that mean about storing them when you aren't using them? That could be a convenient option for a guy like me in the south towns. I don't have the best set up for hauling my kayak on my vehicle. Even for a small fee, I wouldn't mind storing my kayak in Buffalo.

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albryan99
May 26, 2012 9:01 PM
albryan99

Is that the Berlin wall behind the park?

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queenie
May 26, 2012 9:22 PM
queenie

What on this planet are sensitive connectivity and attractive way finding?

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queenseyes
May 26, 2012 10:03 PM
queenseyes

Good question.

All of the small parcels are interconnected with crosswalks, permeable paths, common areas, landscaping - all done in a sensitive manner rather than parks like LaSalle where everything is thrown together with no rhyme or reason.

The attractive way-finding is found in the form of signage that is spread throughout the park, delineating history of the site, amenities, etc. For visitors to the park this is crucial, as part of the real experience is a place making exercise... rather than assuming that everyone is already familiar with this area (and most people aren't). The way-finding can be found mounted on Medina sandstone and resembles artistic ruins. The signage is incorporated with the site-specific boom, which is stored nearby (see link in post). Most parks have either no way-finding or there is an insignificant entry sign that broadcasts the name of the politician who was/or is in office when public dollars were spent on some improvements.

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replied to queenie
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queenie
May 27, 2012 5:41 PM
queenie

Good answer.

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replied to queenseyes
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BuffaloQPublic
May 28, 2012 12:13 AM
BuffaloQPublic

Looking good! Flavor-packed! (i.e., the benches, stamped concrete designs, etc.

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sonyactivision
May 28, 2012 2:37 AM
sonyactivision

I like how all these little pieces are adding up. Do it all!

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john.straubinger@gmail.com
May 28, 2012 10:35 AM
john.straubinger@gmail.com

Here's a story about former First Ward residents who drove in from Lancaster to check out the scene.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/columns/denise-jewell-gee/article876600.ece

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markwebermusic
May 28, 2012 7:06 PM
markwebermusic

Hmmm, I thought Nia-Wanda park in Tonawanda was the place to be for hanging out at the water in the summer, but this development looks like it could become another nice place for people to hang out near the water-- and it's in **Buffalo** -wow! Lets just hope it doesn't end up looking like the bikepath along the Niagara River in Buffalo, which is full of broken bottles, graffiti, overgrown bushes, uneven/old pavement, etc.-- which is what I usually think of when I think of Buffalo (sorry!)...

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nyc
May 28, 2012 8:37 PM
nyc

looks very nice! very contextual...

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RaChaCha
May 28, 2012 9:37 PM
RaChaCha

Whoever opens an ice cream stand at the corner of South & Hamburg has it made for life!

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sonyactivision
May 29, 2012 12:46 AM
sonyactivision

Where's the kid with his (illegal) ice cream bike?

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replied to RaChaCha
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RaChaCha
May 29, 2012 12:30 PM
RaChaCha

Heading for my block this afternoon, I hope! #rimshot

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brownteeth
May 29, 2012 9:59 AM
brownteeth

I personally think the Buffalo River is better suited for development than the lake. There's plenty of water frontage, and it's better protected from the elements that can be quite harsh in the early spring / late fall by the lake. Plus it could make a great small boating destination much like the canal in N. Tonawanda. I can picture public transient docks with boats lined up. It would be great to see more restaurants lining the rivers edge too.

Otherwise this park looks great and it appears all the materials were well chosen too, though I am no expert. As for that giant wall, it separates some sort of business/manuf plant. I suppose if a large wall were to be built they at least made it as attractive as possible, though some ivy would help soften it up.

And is the shady area mentioned in the article reserved for illicit behavior? :)

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RaChaCha
May 29, 2012 12:37 PM
RaChaCha

Great point about the Buffalo River. As opposed to the lake shore, it has two banks. And there's a great abandoned RR bed that runs parallel to much of it, as well as existing neighborhoods with cool little parks, pubs, old buildings, etc. So there are lots of opportunities for connectivity and interesting things to connect with.

The large wall hides the ice boom, which will be stored there during warm weather months instead of on the Outer Harbor.

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MEG
May 31, 2012 1:40 PM
MEG

Explore the waterfront during an awesome scavenger hunt on June 23, that will bring you from Front Park to SiloCity - yes, that and more is all connected by bikepaths and pocket parks. Register here: http://citybration.com/scavenger-hunt.html.

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