Erie County Government - Official website of the Erie County, NY Government
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Mary C. Rossi, Project Manager
Edward A. Rath County Office Building
95 Franklin Street, Room 1077
Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone: (716) 858-6370
Over the past few years, the County of Erie has taken a leadership role to restore natural habitat along the Buffalo River and to provide public access to this urban waterway. The heart of the effort is to improve fish and wildlife habitat along the waterway while providing opportunities for community enjoyment such as fishing and nature walks. This former industrialized corridor has seen much improvement with regard to water quality and habitat restoration. The County has worked closely with the City of Buffalo, New York State and various Federal Agencies to acquire waterfront property suitable for restoration.
Four natural parks have been developed along the Buffalo River. These parks, known as "pocket parks," provide access to the river and the opportunity for the local urban community to have a place to experience a natural setting. The County was awarded State and Federal grants to create these four "pocket parks" named after their locations:
The Smith Street Habitat Restoration Site is 4.9 acres with 800 feet of linear shoreline and has a fishing overlook and informal canoe launch. Once a small-debris and stolen-car dumping ground, the site is truly a hidden gem with excellent southerly views of the River and historic grain elevators. Restoration efforts involved reconstructing a backwater wetland similar to those which formerly lined the lake shore before the arrival of the first settlers. Excavated material from the Buckhorn Marsh in Grand Island provided the seedbed fill and substrate for the wetland to ensure the growth of native wetland plant species. Underwater log habitats were placed offshore to improve aquatic species habitat and an in-water rock reef was placed to create a "riverine wetland." Extensive native plantings were placed throughout the parcel. The site provides public access through a fishing overlook, a canoe stopover area and nature trails.
The Ohio Street Habitat Restoration Site is a widely recognized fishing access site and is a popular launch location for canoes and kayaks. It is the smallest of the Buffalo River Pocket Parks at 1.8 acres. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has a primary role at the site as it is a designated Fishing Access Site and one of few constructed launches on The Buffalo River Urban Canoe Trail. Restoration of the site primarily involved replanting native vegetation and the construction of public access facilities.
The Bailey Peninsula Habitat Restoration Site, located at the confluence of the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek, is 3.8 acres with 1,050 linear feet of shoreline. Restoration efforts enhanced shoreline softening along the edge of the peninsula, which was complemented by anchor habitat logs to improve fish and shorebird habitat. Public access was improved by upgrading the existing trail system and constructing overlook points and benches. Recent improvements to the Bailey Peninsula site are largely the handiwork of South Park High School's Green Team which has adopted the site and has been working diligently to repair damaged benches, control invasive species and re-vegetate the site with native grasses and trees.
The Seneca Bluffs Habitat Restoration Site boasts 15 acres of mature floodplain forest with 2,500 linear feet of shoreline, a 2-acre floodplain island and a mature floodplain forest with towering cottonwoods. The site is a haven for migratory birds and contains ideal nesting and breeding grounds for fish, amphibians, and a variety of species of migratory birds and waterfowl. Restoration work completed targets 5 acres of the site and emphasized invasive species removal, control and restoration plantings. Over 1,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted as well as a grassy meadow with wildflowers. The Seneca Bluffs site now includes an extensive trail system, fishing access improvements, many scenic vantage points and a seasonal aquatic habitat area.
The Times Beach Nature Preserve, 53 acres in size, is located along the Lake Erie shoreline in the City of Buffalo within close proximity to the Buffalo River. It is a former Confined Disposal Facility constructed to dispose contaminated sediment from the Buffalo River from 1972-1976. Eight different ecological zones have been identified at Times Beach along with three significant ecosystems - aquatic, wetland, and upland. The site is frequently visited and highly prized by local and national ornithologists, botanists, wildlife biologists, and amateur naturalists alike. Amenities developed at the site include over 4000' of trails and elevated boardwalk, three bird watching blinds, an overlook platform and interpretive signage –all of which allow safe public access to one of the best birding areas in the Northeastern United States.
Erie County's Natural Habitat sites are designed to benefit urban neighborhoods as well as wildlife. The Buffalo River waterway can develop into an unexpected jewel that could become a major part of Buffalo's urban heritage. The River awaits boaters, canoeists, fishermen, naturalists, picnickers and folks who just want to get away from it all.
More information on Erie County's Habitat Restoration sites is available by contacting Mary Rossi at the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, 858-6370.
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