Buffalo RiverWorks is full of surprises. A recent visit to the site was a real eye opener, when I came across a new Buffalo Rising sculpture at the entranceway to the grounds.
Earlier in the summer, RiverWorks owner/operator Earl Ketry sent me a note saying that he was interested in recognizing the efforts of Buffalo Rising, by creating a work of art that would see a giant I-beam sculpture rising out of the ground. I told him that the project sounded interesting, but due to conflicting schedules we never met up. That was the last time that I heard anything about the work, until I arrived to the site for a Sunset Sundays event, upon which time I came across the industrial sculpture, which stood directly next to Mark Madden and Tyler Griffis’s giant metal Tatonka effigy.
One thing I must say about Ketry, is that when he sets his sights on something, whatever it is tends to come to pass. Ketry personifies the saying, “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” I suppose that I should not have been surprised to see the artistic element come to life, but I was a mite caught off-guard to say the least. It was the first time that a failed meeting attempt actually proved to be productive.
Ketry, a former worker at Bethlehem Steel, continues to eye RiverWorks up as a malleable playground for adults and kids. From giant iron sculptures to a new Escape Room, there’s no telling what will be next on his hit list. Whenever he sets his mind to something, it comes to fruition, whether it’s the rock climbing, the high ropes course, or the ziplining, there’s always an adventure in store for visitors of all ages and abilities on Kelly Island (Middle Harbor)… another area of Buffalo that is constantly on the rise!