Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A group of local officials gathered at Tifft Nature Preserve on Thursday to advocate for the construction of a new ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible trail that would be incorporated into ongoing Buffalo waterfront development plans. The goal of the new trail is the improve access to nature and environmental education experiences for families, as well as people with disabilities.
"We have a plan that looks at creating a brand new parkway on Tifft Street with protected bicycle access from Buffalo, West Seneca, and Lackawanna. A population center of 90,000 people to the waterfront, and right now they can't get there safely," said Congressman Brian Higgins. "We're talking about access, a new parkway at Louisiana Street, so the east side of Buffalo has access to the river and the Lake Erie shoreline.
"We support this project, because it provides access to a segment of our population that it's not easy to access places because of physical limitations. This is a rough terrain, which will be made smoother and will help facilitate the development of trails that are accessible to everybody, including handicapped kids that may not be able to access and enjoy this waterfront right now."
As proposed by the Buffalo Science Museum, the budget for this project is roughly $1.7 million, which will include funding for construction, research and design, and signage for the trails. The funding will transform a half-mile loop into a trail that is ADA accessible, starting at the Herb and Jane Darling Environmental Education Center. The trail will go through the woods and also around the Heritage Boardwalk.
This plan also includes new concrete walkways at the entrance and exits of the Education Center, a welcome kiosk at the trailhead, a compacted stone dust trail surface, a complete re-build of the Heritage Boardwalk and more.
However, trails at Tifft Nature Preserve are currently narrow, and also seasonably wet, which makes it difficult for people visiting with strollers, wheelchairs and walkers, as well as those people with limited mobility.
"You'll notice the mud, you'll notice the uneven surface, you'll notice the roots emerging from the soil, [even our] very rough parking lot and parking area. All of these things are barriers to be a truly welcoming place for all in Western New York," said President and Chief Executive Officer of the Buffalo Museum of Science, Marisa Wigglesworth.
The improvements that are on the docket for Tifft Nature Preserve will ensure the facility is wheelchair accessible, walker and stroller friendly, and accessible for people of all ages, regardless of their physical ability.
"What we're talking about today is making sure that every single member of our community, including those individuals with disabilities, are able to take advantage of the waterfront that is bursting at the seams and seeing a brighter future," said Senator Tim Kennedy during the event. "The Tifft Farm Nature Preserve is a major component in the major revitalization of not only the waterfront, but for our city and our entire region in this great state of New York."
"The Center for Handicapped Children really appreciates all the efforts the Tifft Farm Nature Preserve has done throughout the years in bringing nature to people with disabilities," said President of the CHC program, Michael Golebiewski. "This is going to become a destination, and I think that's a wonderful opportunity not only for children with disabilities, but also seniors with disabilities and individuals throughout the community who have a tough time, sometimes, in the parking lots or on the trails, navigating the areas."
Congressman Higgins is pushing for the trail in his plan to accelerate waterfront development in Buffalo. This plan will fall under the bigger umbrella of Higgins' plan that proposes using funding and resources newly available through the federal infrastructure bill to improve access and create new parkland around Buffalo's Outer Harbor.
"We're looking at creating 100 new acres of parkland at the Outer Harbor not in 10 years, not in five years, but in the next 24 months by accelerating the [New York] Power Authority settlement that was set in 2005," Higgins explained. "The last 10 years have been a period of great progress, and the next 24 months will change Buffalo for the next 100 years in a very, very positive way."
