Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences held a ceremonial boardwalk breaking at Tifft Nature Preserve on Tuesday to kick off construction of a $2.15 million accessible trail.
President and CEO of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, Gary Siddall, says the three-quarter-mile trail will start at the Herb and Jane Darling Environmental Education center, through the woods, and around the Preserve’s Heritage Boardwalk. It will be wheelchair, walker, and stroller friendly.
"We'll have a new trail, new sidewalk that leads visitors from this center out to the bridge. We'll replace that bridge so it's significantly safer, not only for visitors, but for emergency vehicles that need to navigate their way into the preserve. A new stone dust trail will be installed that is fully accessible for visitors who are either in a wheelchair or motorized scooter device, and when you get out to our boardwalk, we've taken the time and consideration to design that feature so that all visitors have abilities to look out into the cattail marsh without being impeded by bars, without being impeded by barriers," stated Siddall during Tuesday's announcement.
"With having a wide enough passageway, you'll be able to turn around and enjoy the experience like all of our other visitors. We're also creating an elevated viewing platform where visitors who are seated by way of an accessibility device will have the opportunity to take an elevated perspective and enjoy the preserve to the fullest extent. We're also implementing a new signage system that is being done in partnership with the UB idea center to ensure that accessibility is at the forefront. That even includes providing a tactile map so that visitors with visual impairments will be able to understand the various points and way finding throughout the preserve."
Buffalo's Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon says he frequently visits Tifft Nature Preserve, and is excited to see the trail when it's complete.
"Everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy our parks, and that is especially true here at TIFF nature preserve, and with the start of construction of this fully accessible trail, we're one step closer to creating a pathway at TIFF nature preserve that welcomes everyone, regardless of their ability," stated Scanlon.
Assemblymember Jon Rivera, who was able to contribute the last of the required funding for the project, says this will leave a lasting legacy within the Niagara River Greenway.
"Tifft Nature Preserve is a unique environmental gem nestled right within the heart of our city. An outdoor education center with a diverse habitat, not far from the industrial grain silos, Tifft offers residents an environmental oasis with a metropolitan backdrop. I am excited that the $200,000 I’ve secured in state funding to help create an ADA-accessible trail for those with disabilities will allow even more of our neighbors to enjoy all of the wonderful trails that Tifft offers." stated Rivera.
The trail is expected to open by fall 2025. It will be available to visitors daily from dawn to dusk when not it's not covered in snow or ice.