Buffalo Harbor State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buffalo Harbor State Park |
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 1111 Fuhrmann Blvd. Buffalo, New York |
| Nearest city | Buffalo, New York |
| Area | 190 acres (0.77 km2) |
| Created | 2015 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Buffalo Harbor State Park |
Buffalo Harbor State Park is a fun place to visit right on the shore of Lake Erie in Buffalo. It's a big state park and marina, covering about 190 acres. This park includes Gallagher Beach, the old NFTA Small Boat Harbor, and the land connecting them. It's a great spot for families and anyone who loves being by the water.
How Buffalo Harbor State Park Began
Buffalo Harbor State Park was created in 2014. Before that, the land belonged to a transportation group. They gave about 340 acres of land to the state. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation then took over running the park in late 2014.
Building this new park cost about $15 million. This project was part of a bigger plan to make Buffalo's outer harbor a lively and fun place again.
The park officially opened its doors to everyone on May 24, 2015. Visitors really liked the new, modern playground.
Park Improvements
More improvements were planned for the park in November 2015. These plans included spending $3.76 million to make the harbor's breakwall and revetments better. A breakwall is like a strong barrier that protects the harbor from big waves.
The plans also called for building a paved walkway and bike path. This path would let people easily get to the breakwall. There would also be better lighting and a new platform for fishing. These improvements were finished by the fall of 2016.
What You Can Do at the Park
Buffalo Harbor State Park has lots of cool things to do! It features a large marina with space for 1,000 boats. There are also places to launch your boat and a special station to clean fish.
For families, there's a fun playground with a nautical, or boat-themed, design. You can also find picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal outdoors. The park even has a restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat.
There is a beach at the park, but swimming was not allowed as of 2015. In 2016, the park announced new additions. These included kayak rentals for exploring the water. The park's restaurant also got better, adding a large 1,800 square foot outdoor patio.
