BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Imagine LaSalle will unveil the initial design vision for the future of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park on Friday.
The park last fall received a $100 million donation from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation with half going to construction and maintenance of the project while the remaining $50 million will be used for regional trails construction and maintenance.
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Robert Shibley, Dean of the UB School of Architecture and Planning, told WBEN that one of the plans for the project is to overhaul some of the terrain and add hills to the park.
"It is a park now and will become a new one but it will retain the program elements of the existing parks," Shibley said. "All of the current users and people committed to this place are accommodated in what I think is a richly designed and improved park space. There will be additional activities. You'll be able to sled on what is otherwise a flat park now."
Berms will be placed near the 190 to reduce the noise and improve the quality of the bridge. Visitors will arrive immediately at the hills once off the bridge. Other new features there includes better relationship between the pumping station and the park, improvements to the splash park and pool area, and enhanced waterfront path alternatives for biking and walking.
Festivals will remain at the park with what Shibley described as "enhanced surroundings".
After Friday's unveiling of a concept design, multiple studies will be conducted on transportation, hydrology, and other technical aspects of the park. Shibley said it could take about four years for the project to be completed.