If this isn’t inspiration to piece back together Delaware Park, then I don’t know what is. The Guardian has named Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks as one of the top ten best urban parks in the world. That’s quite a designation, and one that is deserved, despite the continued attempts of transportation-minded entities to deny this city its rightful attempt to stitch Delaware Park back together.
Taking a look at some of the other parks that were awarded a similar spotlight designation, should bolster Buffalo’s desire to recreate a couple of the long lost Calvert Vaux structures that once graced the park system, such as Spirehead Gazebo, and various other park bandshells and shelters (if not some of his larger structures).
As the park system continues along the road to recovery (see Parkside Lodge for example), it’s important to remember that Olmsted’s legacy is far from complete. From the advent of Maintained Meadow Areas, to removing/downgrading disruptive roadways, we are on the right path, though that path is fairly daunting if you are aware of just how formidable the Olmsted Park System once was.
Images: Buffaloah.com | See Guardian designation