More improvements to the Buffalo waterfront are just around the corner as construction of the new Buffalo Harbor State Park begins next month.
The first phase of the project includes building berms and planting grass. Trees and shrubs will be planted around the area of the current Small Boat Harbor to provide a greener view and give some dimension to the park, according to New York State Parks spokesperson Angela Berti.
She says some events in the park this summer showed it is already a popular destination.
"All summer long we had a free carousel for kids and families to use and that was very well used," Berti said.
"We installed a new fish cleaning station and that was very well used. We had an event in July in partnership with the Tifft Nature Preserve and that was very well attended. So there's obviously a demand to be down there. So we're really excited to be a part of the waterfront Renaissance. And doing what we can to sort of give Western New Yorkers another place to recreate on the waterfront."
Berti says other amenities include biking and walking trails, picnic pavilions, a stage for concerts and a nautically-themed playground which she describes as a showpiece of the new Buffalo Harbor State Park.
Phase One is expected to wrap up next summer.