Riverside Park
In recent years there has been a push to bring back many of Frederick Law Olmsted's original vision for Riverside Park. Those plans include the rebuilding of the lost Minnow Pools - now to be called RiverRock Gardens, as well as many of the indigenous plantings that have disappeared over the years.
This Olmsted Park has been compromised by the lame work of Robert Moses. It will be an upward battle to reclaim what was lost (the connection to the Niagara River). Despite the disconnection with the water, the park boasts tennis courts, a pool, basketball courts, softball diamonds and walking and biking trails.
From the Olmsted Parks:
Designed in 1898, the 22-acre Riverside Park was the last park the Olmsted firm designed in Buffalo. Originally, park visitors could enjoy the Minnow Pools, a romantic stream with waterfalls and bridges, or walk along a formal concourse and across a footbridge over the Erie Canal. Today, the Isabel Gardiner Pedestrian Bridge links Riverside Park to the Riverwalk, part of the Niagara River Greenway Trail, a continuous trail that links Lake Erie to Lake Ontario along the Niagara River.
In 1912, 12 acres were added to the south end of the park and laid out for active recreation. Today Riverside is a vibrant neighborhood park hosting many football games, baseball, swimming, basketball and tennis. The Conservancy has recently enhanced the football field with a grant from the National Football League and the Buffalo Bills. Many new trees are taking root throughout the park, installed with the help of many volunteers each spring and fall. Much of the original Olmsted designed features have been lost over the years, but the Conservancy is actively planning restoration projects with the City of Buffalo and the community. The first project planned for 2010 is the phase one restoration of the Minnow Pools.
Points of Interest:
* Lighthouse Monument
* Petofi Monument
* World War I Memorial
* Niagara River Overlook
Amenities:
* (4) Baseball/Softball Diamonds
* (1) Football/Soccer Field
* (2) Tennis Courts
* (2) Basketball Courts
* (1) Ice Rink
* (1) Swimming Pool
* (1) Wading Pool
* (1) Playground
* (4) Picnic Tables
www.bfloparks.org/
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