The next phase in a reconstruction of Buffalo Harbor State Park is getting underway, New York State officials announced on Monday.
The $3.76 million phase, which is expected to be completed next fall, includes completion of an improved breakwall, redesigned southern revetment, fishing platform and lighting at the park, which is located off Route 5 and Fuhrmann Boulevard near Tifft Nature Preserve.
It will also include a bike path and paved walkway that will allow visitors access to the waterfront that park officials say has not been enjoyed for some time.
"The breakwall at the Buffalo Harbor State Park has been closed for several years now because it's been in bad repair," said Mark Thomas, Western District Director of New York State Parks. "We spent a lot of this past summer doing the stabilizing of that. The next steps are to put the walkway in and lightning, and fishing access platform."
Phase one of the project, which cost about $3 million, included construction of picnic pavilions, a nautically-themed playground, an improved cleaning station and landscaping and other capital upgrades.
State parks officials report the playground proved especially successful. More than 100,000 people attended the park this past season, Thomas told WBFO.
The overall park transformation will cost an estimated $15 million and is funded from Governor Andrew Cuomo's Buffalo Billion.
