Lower West Side, Buffalo facts for kids
The Lower West Side is a lively neighborhood located in the city of Buffalo, New York. It's a place with a rich history and a mix of different cultures.
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Where is the Lower West Side?
The Lower West Side is easy to find on a map of Buffalo.
- To the north, it borders the Upper West Side along Porter Avenue.
- To the east, you'll find the Allentown neighborhood, known for its historic buildings. This border is near Plymouth Avenue.
- To the south, it's close to Niagara Square and the West Village.
- To the west, the neighborhood meets the Niagara River and Interstate 190.
Main Streets and Parks
Two important streets run through the Lower West Side:
- Niagara Street, which goes north and south.
- Virginia Street, which goes east and west.
The neighborhood is also home to some beautiful parks, perfect for playing or relaxing. Some of these parks are part of the famous Frederick Law Olmsted Buffalo Parks & Parkway System. Olmsted was a landscape architect who designed many famous parks, including Central Park in New York City!
Parks in the Lower West Side include:
- Front Park
- Columbus Park (which used to be called Prospect Park)
Another large park in the area is LaSalle Park. It's part of the Buffalo Parks System and is the biggest park in the Lower West Side.
A Changing Neighborhood
For a long time, the Lower West Side was mainly home to families of Italian-American heritage. Over the last 50 years, many Hispanic families have moved into the area, making it a diverse and vibrant community. More recently, people who want to help improve the city have also moved in, bringing new life and energy to the neighborhood.
Schools and Colleges
The Lower West Side is home to several important schools and a college, showing its focus on education.
- Grover Cleveland High School
- D'Youville College
- Leonardo da Vinci High School
- Waterfront Elementary School
- D'Youville Porter Campus School
