Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Friday some positive progress made toward enhancing Buffalo Harbor State Park, as work is underway on $47.5 million worth of new upgrades to the park.
The project includes a new spray ground, a signature art sculpture and fountain, café/retail space, and a park office with public restrooms that will help provide Buffalo residents and Western New Yorkers with more options to safely cool off and escape the heat in a warming climate. Also included with the project will be a dedicated space for food trucks and updated park furnishings.
"We are continuing to transform Buffalo's Outer Harbor Waterfront by providing more public access and creating a vibrant area for residents and visitors to enjoy," said Gov. Hochul on Friday. "Buffalo Harbor State Park is a special destination on our waterfront, and these additions will further improve the experience for all Western New York families and offer a world class destination for visitors of all ages to recreate, relax and watch our amazing sunsets."
Completion of this project is expected by Memorial Day 2026.
The spray ground will offer children a new active play experience and provide a safe and clean water source to cool off on the Buffalo waterfront, and will be adjacent to a large Buffalo sculpture/fountain. In addition, an expansion of the playground on site will include additional inclusive equipment.
Construction work will be performed by Mark Cerrone Inc. from Niagara Falls.
Upgrades to Buffalo Harbor State Park supports Gov. Hochul's vision to increase waterfront accessibility, recreation opportunities, and continue to add vibrancy to Buffalo's Outer Harbor Waterfront. This includes the opening of the Terminal B Events Center, and the newly improved Bell Slip earlier this year.
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"I want to thank Gov. Hochul for her leadership and vision for Buffalo Harbor State Park. The project serves as another example of Buffalo’s growing waterfront. This investment will attract thousands of residents and visitors annually," said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown in a statament.
The upgrades to the park will also complement the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Empire State Trail Gateway, which serves as the beginning/end point of the 750-mile-long Empire State Trail. In 2017, New York State launched the Empire State Trail to promote outdoor recreation, encourage healthy lifestyles, support community vitality, and bolster tourism-related economic development.
Buffalo Harbor is the City of Buffalo’s only state park, boasting beautiful views of Lake Erie and the home to a 1,100-slip marina, a restaurant, boat launches, personal watercraft launches, fish cleaning station, restrooms, and a waterfront for strolling and sunbathing, and a nautical themed playground great for kids of all ages.
In addition, the park is adjacent to the popular Tifft Nature Preserve.