Initial design for RCW Centennial Park unveiled

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Photo credit Model of Centennial Park. May 3, 2019 (WBEN Photo/Mike Baggerman)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Architects for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park on Friday unveiled their initial design for the massive, 90-acre, park.

The park will feature new features such as repaired athletic fields, more than four times the number of walking paths, hills, an increase in the variety of sports that can be played at the park, a 5K running loop, bicycling paths, and more.

One of the key features of the park is "The Great Lawn", which will allow for a brad range of events, gatherings, festivals, and performances, plus other activities like picnics, yoga, snow shoeing, and sledding. Another major feature is an enhanced waterfront experience.

Here’s some of the renderings and models of the Ralph C. Wilson JR Centennial Park (formerly LaSalle Park). pic.twitter.com/ifzwbukrBK

— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@NewsRadio930) May 3, 2019

"Buffalo is ready for this park to happen," Landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh said.

The park was funded after the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation committed $100 million to support parks and trails in Western New York, with half of that money going to a revamped LaSalle Park and the other half going to parks and trails in WNY.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was among the most excited for the project and said that the park is better than a Super Bowl ring for the Buffalo Bills.

"This is a statement that is going to be far longer than any temporary victory that can be taken away next year," she said. "This is for eternity. This is part of Buffalo's future."

"Well, I guarantee you Ralph would have liked a Super Bowl win," Mary Wilson joked to cheers from the crowd. "That image of him holding the Lombardi Trophy is something I wish I could have seen him do."