Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of improvements to Buffalo Harbor State Park, including a new sprayground, buffalo art sculpture and fountain, enhanced accessible playground, café/retail space, public restrooms and park office. Hochul says the improvements expand affordable recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike and add further energy to Buffalo’s Outer Harbor waterfront.
“The new and improved Buffalo Harbor State Park boasts new features that will help every member of the family to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ in a fun, welcoming and accessible environment,” says Hochul. “The only State Park in the City of Buffalo is a world-class destination to experience the beauty of our Lake Erie waterfront, and I encourage visitors throughout Western New York and beyond to come out and enjoy it this summer.”
Hochul says the 6,700-square-foot sprayground is designed with multiple zones for different age groups and features 162 water elements — including spray jets, misting arches and a dumping bucket. The sprayground includes a number of sustainable design elements, including a specially designed concrete to minimize heat accumulation on play surfaces and will treat and recirculate 11,000 gallons of water per minute to reduce the amount discharged into the city wastewater system. The sprayground will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily weather permitting.
New York State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “Governor Hochul’s vision for a state-of-the-art waterfront destination has come to life with new opportunities for the public to get outside, cool off, relax and connect with Buffalo’s incredible shoreline. Investments like these strengthen Buffalo Harbor State Park as a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors and expand access to affordable recreation for all.”
The centerpiece of the project is the signature buffalo sculpture by artist Ai Qiu Hopen. The sculpture is composed of 2,000 individual stainless-steel birds representing 15 bird species native to New York State. Together, the birds form an open stainless-steel buffalo, measuring 18 feet wide and 13 feet tall. The unique artwork symbolizes how individual acts of compassion and connection come together to create collective strength — and reflects the shared humanity that unites communities. The sculpture is expected to become a featured attraction and popular gathering point along Buffalo’s waterfront.
Additional improvements include:
- An expanded playground including universally accessible elements, featuring swinging, spinning and zip-line elements
- Dedicated space for food trucks
- A fully electric café and retail space, park office with public restrooms and multi-use space
- Native plantings throughout the park
- Updated park furnishings, including pergola swings overlooking the harbor
New park includes a new sprayground, buffalo art sculpture and fountain,
New park includes a new sprayground, buffalo art sculpture and fountain,
