Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Active construction has commenced this Monday for the $110 million investment going into the new Ralph Wilson Jr. Centennial Park in Buffalo, a project that will completely transform the landscape, amenities and waterfront access of the park known formerly as LaSalle Park.
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"Today marks a big milestone in the transformation of Ralph Wilson Park," said Katie Campos, Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy's executive director.
"You see the construction fencing going up over on 4th Street. Safety will remain our number one priority throughout the construction phase. Inside the fencing will be a major and active construction zone. Heavy machinery, equipment and materials will be moved constantly around the grounds. This week, Gilbane is mobilizing heavy equipment and the fencing to begin the first phase of construction of Ralph Wilson Park while the core of the park will be closed to the public during construction."
Campos reminds the public that the Centennial Pool, skate park and football fields will remain open for the visitors of the Park while construction is underway, including a temporary space for dog walking.
Deputy Parks Commissioner Andy Raab emphasizes the multi-phase project will take years, well into 2025, and will be built in phases concurrently.
"This will be a multi-year construction process for Ralph Wilson Park as a whole. Even though we're talking about phase one, the public really won't see one phase start, and we'll be starting additional phases of work, before we may have finished one. So to the general public, it'll look like the park will be closed and under construction continuously for the next few years."
The first phase of the project will include improvements to three softball/baseball fields, soccer field renovations, a pedestrian bridge, adding restrooms and rehabilitating the inlet area to strengthen the shoreline and protect the park from high lake levels and severe weather.
Raab says the wait will be well worth it, as this community-focused project will transform the park into a "world-class destination."
"This first phase of construction is almost $75 million. That normally equals a capital expenditure of a decade in parks. We're doing the equivalent of a 10-year project in the first phase of work for this project. This park is going to be, as it's done, a world-class destination with a focus on the community. The design, the planning was all done on a very hands-on local community approach. We are happy to be able to turn that local community vision into a reality and I can't be more excited about a project. This project, quite frankly, working in Parks, this is what you do it for, a project like this."
In addition, the Conservancy and the City of Buffalo say that the park will no longer be flat as the park will feature many hills and paths that bike riders, sledders or runners could enjoy.
Renderings and park updates are available through the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy website.
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