Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - When plans were considered for the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Park, everyone was told to dream big.
They did.
As part of the latest development phase, that just started, one of the signature attractions will be a 130-foot-long replica Lake Erie freighter that will be used as an interactive playground that actually cuts into the water.
With the first phase nearing completion and the next phase of the $200 million Buffalo waterfront project underway, the level of anticipation is growing with the park set to make its official debut by 2028.
"This is a transformational project for Buffalo," said Mayor Sean Ryan said. "We took what was a flat piece of land and made it something special."
The project is being largely funded by $110 million in allocations by the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. The remaining $90 million came from state and federal sources along with private donations.
The park bookends a similar -but smaller one = the Wilson foundation helped finance in Detroit - the hometown of the late Buffalo Bills founder and owner.
However, the Detroit park - also on the shores of Lake Erie - is just 22 acres.
"Buffalo deserved something this special,," said Mary Wilson, Ralph Wilson's founder and lifetime trustee of the foundation.
The park was designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc. with Gilbane serving as the construction manager.
Amenities include baseball and football playing fields, trails, playgrounds, the lake freighter replica and gathering spaces.
An iconic bridge crossing the I-190 from Fourth Street to the park was a central part of the first phase.
Originally designed for 30 acres to replace LaSalle Park, it morphed into a 100 acre project, largely due to public input.
"The public spoke," said Dave Egner, Wilson Foundation president and CEO. "We listened."
Next phase includes a replica lake freighter
Next phase includes a replica lake freighter
