Buffalo Rising Online

You know I like to think that I have some good ideas for Buffalo this post is brilliant.

I have many friends who live along the Erie Canal from Lockport to Syracuse and they love it....from kayaking to boating and there is no Homeland Security at each of the Locks between Buffalo and Albany so why Black Rock? I have to admit I dont understand the security risk....there is hardly any traffic on the Barge Canal and I dont understand the purpose of the Barge Canal Lock since the entrance to the Barge Canal in the harbor is at the same the Niagara River...and the exit from the Barge Canal after the lock is at the same level as the Niagara River as one can see by the satellite map link

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=42.933474,-78.905761&spn=0.010604,0.011694&t=h&om=1

But look at all that undeveloped waterfront land! In all the years I have been in Buffalo I have take West Ferry Bridge to the Park since I was a kid but never the Squaw Island Bridge. In fact, never even knew it existed.

The Black Rock Locks must be integrated into the Black Rock Community and so must that section of Sqaw Island. Wish somehow we could do something to make the Niagara Expressway less of an obstruction but thats another topic.

Thanks...this was very enlighting....and an absolutely brilliant piece of Buffalo insight that needed to be brought to the attention of Buffalonians.

Now why cant they put a high density office part here on squaw island instead of Lancaster (todays Business First) Think about it the old Bristol Myers Campus at Niagara and Forest is just across the canal...and so is Buffalo State....this is a great location for an Urban Corporate Campus looking to expand or relocate to Buffalo.

High density office park, on Squaw Island? We're just getting it made into a nice park ! sheesh.

Besides the park, the deal is that Squaw Island is too polluted to ever be excavated; that was the determination of the EPA, long ago. No marinas, no foundations, NO digging. Let's be happy to have park.

How about some volunteers for landscaping, and donors of trees?

The rail bridge linking Canada adjacent to the locks is the security risk, the fence isn't necessary. Think Dog Park

Since I live in Blackrock I think opening the locks to the public is a great idea. It is vital to this community to incorporate the locks. Blackrock has such a rich history to draw on. There really needs to be a little museum focusing on the area's historical value, the locks, the shipyard that was situated in the area, the race with Buffalo for the terminus of the Erie Canal. It could do a lot for this community. On the subject of the Squaw Island Park, I have to agree with mmKay. Why would anyone want a high density office park on the Island? Its on the Niagara River, make it a beautiful park so people can enjoy it. With all of that land, put in some playing fields for the neighborhood kids. There's probably enough land there for a dog park, playing fields and lots of trees. I've spoken to someone about the playing field idea and was told that currently, on the Blackrock end, emergency vehicles can't get to the park area so making play space for the restless teenagers isn't feasible. Isn't that what is being worked on right now on Niagara Street? Better access? No excuses!

I often see children and (occasionally adults) swimming in the fetid, radioactive pond at the east of the island (near the Intl. Railway Bridge). It's disturbing.

I like to call it the Black Rock Pool. (The Niagara River is the Riverside Pool.)

If its to be a park, then why not invite the Olmstead Conservancy to participate in it.

Also why cant we have car or bike paths around the sewar plant to connect the new park on the northside with the existing park on the southside...which of course lead to the breakwall that people can walk or ride all the way to the transition between the outer harbor and barge canal.

I was just looking at what an abomination Front Park looks like from satellite....the Niagara Expressway just chews the whole area up.

But the breakwall makes a great curve across from Porter which would make a great beach. The Breakwall makes the Barge Canal safe and really protects from the undertow and current of the Niagara River but it would be wise to block off the Barge Canal and dredge it out completely. First, we would fine all sorts of historical artifacts, second we could rebuild the walls of the Barge Canal which have deteriated and fell into the water and lastly as the Barge Canal becomes use for more recreational purposes it becomes increasingly important to know whats under that water.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=42.898604,-78.900676&spn=0.021221,0.023689

Gotta say that LaSalle looks pretty crappy for an urban waterfront park too and we just gotta get rid of those projects across from LaSalle.. this park and the area of the projects should really be incorporated into the west village.

There is a path around the sewage treatment plant, actually - bike & walking. It's a bit bleak, as one is squished between the river and the rather stinky sewage tanks, but stink is unavoidable in this case. I don't recall enough room for a car road, though - maybe on the opposite side of the island.

Lasalle could use some help, surely - as can all of our parks. It needs man truck loads of fertilizer (manure!) and more trees, as well as all new roadways. Favorite time at Lasalle: sundown, when thousands of gulls take over the grounds to roost for the night.

Front Park is sad, indeed. They're working on it now, and anything will be an improvement. Much as I gripe about road noise, this place is the worst offender, or should I say the worst offended by noise. Modern noise abatement solutions, which are leagues ahead of the old concrete walls, might do wonders...

Here's an idea: Noise abatement for the ENTIRE length of the Thruway in Buffalo ! If we must have it, we shouldn't have to HEAR it.

ps - Snakeland's pond should just be filled -in & planted with willows, to take up the water.

Q.E., did youz try the other side of the locks, on the island? I was able to get pretty close, last year (link to my pic in my name)

As state above, the bike path does connect the south and north side of Squaw Island, always has I think. You can enter at the foot of Ferry St and ride up to Amherst St. You have to ride over the train bridge on the pedestrian walkway. From the bridge you have a great view of the Peace Bridge to the south and the locks to the north. Unfortunately, the riverwalk path south of the park at the foot of Ferry, isn't wide enough for both pedestrians and cyclists. I've always wished that the breakwall section of the riverwalk went somewhere. You get all the way out there and have to turn around to come back. It'd be nice if it connected to downtown somewhere to make a loop.

Viking, There is a proposal on the table for a dog park here as well. Looking for Public support and input.

I have a theme for the Squaw Island Park in anyone is interested.

Historical fact that in the War of 1812 between the US and the British Buffalo was burned to the ground in their famous battles but its also historical fact that Admiral Perry's ships were made in Black Rock. Squaw Island might not have been the original site but can anyone else thing of a site closer to the original Black Rock site that wouldnt involve demoliting a building or two.

Admiral Perry Memorial Park....it could have a statue, a dog park, a boat dock for boats going through the lock, maybe even alittle sand for a wading area.

The reason for the Black Rock Lock is to allow for safe passage around the swift water in the Niagara River for commercial, recreational, and government vessel traffic transiting to or from the Erie Canal, or the coal & petroleum docks in Tonawanda to the lake. Marathon Asphalt, Noco Oil, and the NRG Huntly coal station are all operating commercial docks on the Niagara River below the locks, and the Miss Buffalo tour boat, US Coast Gaurd, Canadian Coast Gaurd, and US Navy all use the locks on a regular basis. You can read about the ammount of large vessel traffic through the lock here: http://www.boatnerd.com/passage/buffalo.htm

Robert Nehin, pictured in this picture is the slime of Buffalo. He owes everyone in this town money. Why is he in this picture? Sam Hoyt should be careful who he is pictured with. .Robert Nehin has screwed almost everyone in this city including his family. If anyone knows him, they know he is a scumbag. Not to mention he lives his life in a seedy underworld.