Delaware Park
Encyclopedia
Delaware Park-Front Park System is a historic park
system and national historic district
located in the northern and western sections of Buffalo
in Erie County, New York
. The park system was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted
and Calvert Vaux
and developed between 1868 and 1876.
The system encompasses the following parts:
The park system was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1982.
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
system and national historic district
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
located in the northern and western sections of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
in Erie County, New York
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
. The park system was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted was an American journalist, social critic, public administrator, and landscape designer. He is popularly considered to be the father of American landscape architecture, although many scholars have bestowed that title upon Andrew Jackson Downing...
and Calvert Vaux
Calvert Vaux
Calvert Vaux , was an architect and landscape designer. He is best remembered as the co-designer , of New York's Central Park....
and developed between 1868 and 1876.
The system encompasses the following parts:
- 1) Delaware Park: It is the centerpiece of the Buffalo, New York parks systemBuffalo, New York parks systemThe Buffalo, New York, public parks and parkways system is the United States' oldest coordinated system of such recreational spaces, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux between 1868 and 1896. It was inspired in large part by the parkland, boulevards, and squares of Paris, France...
and located in the North BuffaloNorth Buffalo, Buffalo, New YorkNorth Buffalo, historically North Park, is a neighborhood in the city of Buffalo, New York.-Geography:North Buffalo stretches north from the Scajacquada Expressway NY 198 on the south, Kenmore, New York on the north, Bailey Avenue on the east, and Elmwood Avenue on the west.The topography of North...
neighborhood. The 376 acres (152.2 ha) park was named simply The Park by Olmsted; it was later renamed Delaware Park because of its proximity to Delaware Avenue, Buffalo's mansion rowDelaware Avenue Historic District (Buffalo, New York)Delaware Avenue Historic District is a historic district in , United States, and Erie County. It is located along the west side of Delaware Avenue between North Street to the South and Bryant Street to the North....
. It is divided into two areas: the 243 acres (98.3 ha) "Meadow Park" on the east and the 133 acres (53.8 ha) "Water Park", with what was originally a 43 acres (17.4 ha) lake ("Gala Water"), on the west. The 12 acres (4.9 ha) ravine and picnic grove on the south side of the lake comprise a subdivision of the latter. A widening of Scajaquada CreekScajaquada CreekScajaquada Creek is a stream located in Erie County, New York, USA. The name is derived from Philip Kenjockety, an Indian described as the oldest resident of the region upon his death in 1808....
, which flows westward through the park, is called Hoyt Lake (originally Mirror Lake). The lake was a feature during the Pan-American ExpositionPan-American ExpositionThe Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, United States, from May 1 through November 2, 1901. The fair occupied of land on the western edge of what is present day Delaware Park, extending from Delaware Ave. to Elmwood Ave and northward to Great Arrow...
. The Scajaquada ExpresswayNew York State Route 198New York State Route 198 is a state highway located entirely within the city of Buffalo, New York, in the United States. It is named the Scajaquada Expressway for Scajaquada Creek, which it parallels as it heads across northern Buffalo...
bisects the park west to east.
- The Albright-Knox Art GalleryAlbright-Knox Art GalleryThe Albright-Knox Art Gallery is an art museum located in Delaware Park in Buffalo, New York. The gallery is a major showplace for modern art and contemporary art. It is located directly across the street from Buffalo State College.-History:...
occupies the park's western edge, overlooking Hoyt Lake, and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical SocietyBuffalo and Erie County Historical Society BuildingThe Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society is located on Nottingham Court in the city of Buffalo, just east of Elmwood Avenue, north of the Scajaquada Expressway, in the northwest corner of Delaware Park. It occupies the building constructed in 1901 as the New York State pavilion for that...
is situated on its northern edge, overlooking Scajaquada Creek. The park is also home to a noted replica of Michelangelo's DavidReplicas of Michelangelo's DavidReplicas of Michelangelo's David have been made numerous times, in plaster, imitation marble, fibreglass and other materials. There are many full-sized replicas of the statue around the world, perhaps the most prominent being the one in the original's position in the Piazza della Signoria in...
. The park is home to Shakespeare in Delaware ParkShakespeare in Delaware ParkShakespeare in Delaware Park is a free outdoor Shakespeare festival that takes place during summer months in Delaware Park located in the city of Buffalo, New York. It is the second largest free outdoor Shakespeare festival in the United States, topped only by New York City's New York Shakespeare...
, a summer tradition since the mid-1970s, and the second largest free outdoor Shakespeare festival in the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(after New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's). It is also the location of the Buffalo ZooBuffalo ZooFounded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo located in Buffalo, New York is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors and is the second largest tourist attraction in Western New York, second only to Niagara Falls...
on the east side of "Meadow Park. The park also has a golf course, four baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and a soccer field.
- Contributing structures are: Caretakers Cottage (1889); Lincoln Parkway Bridge (1900),designed by Green and WicksEdward Brodhead GreenE. B. Green was a major American architect from New York State. He was born in Utica, NY. He attended Cornell University, and moved to Buffalo, NY in 1881, where he was active through about 1930...
; Rose Garden Pergola (1912); Stone Bridge (ca. 1887), the only remaining structure from the original Olmsted plan; Parkside Lodge (1914); Rumsey Shelter House (1900); Main Zoo Building (1935-1940); Shelter House (ca. 1900); and Elephant House (ca. 1912). Located adjacent to the park are the Parkside East Historic DistrictParkside East Historic DistrictParkside East Historic District is a national historic district located at Buffalo in Erie County, New York. The district is architecturally and historically significant for its association with the 1876 Parks and Parkways Plan for the city of Buffalo developed by Frederick Law Olmsted...
and Parkside West Historic DistrictParkside West Historic DistrictParkside West Historic District is a national historic district located at Buffalo in Erie County, New York. The district is architecturally and historically significant for its association with the 1876 Parks and Parkways Plan for the city of Buffalo developed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1876...
, both added to the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1986.
- 2) Gates Circle (originally Chapin Place): Originally a 5 acres (2 ha) plot, 500 by, at the intersection of Delaware Avenue, Lafayette Avenue, and Chapin Parkway. The circle's center contains a monumental sunken fountainFountainA fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect....
constructed in 1904.
- 3) Chapin Parkway: Connects Gates Circle and Soldier's Place; 1904 feet (580.3 m) in length.
- 4) Soldier's Place: Consists of an area 700 feet (213.4 m) in diameter, 8.8 acres (3.6 ha), at the juncture of Bidwell Parkway, Lincoln Parkway, Bird Avenue, and Chapin Parkway. Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
's William R. Heath HouseWilliam R. Heath HouseThe William R. Heath House, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, built between 1904 & 1905, and is located at 76 Soldiers Place in Buffalo, New York. It is built in the Prairie School architectural style....
(1904) overlooks the circle at Bird Avenue.
- 5) Lincoln Parkway: A 200 feet (61 m), 9 acres (3.6 ha) thoroughfare, connecting Soldier's Place to Delaware Park; 1965 feet (598.9 m) in length.
- 6) Bidwell Parkway: A 200 feet (61 m), 10.7 acres (4.3 ha) thoroughfare, connecting Colonial Circle to Soldier's Place; 2323 feet (708.1 m) in length. At its intersection with Soldier's Place is a large bronze sculpture by Larry Griffiths titled Birds in Flight (1980).
- 7) Colonial Circle (formerly Bidwell Place): A 5.4 acres (2.2 ha) plot, 510 by, at the intersection of Richmond Avenue, Bidwell Parkway, and Lafayette Street. The circle's center contains an equestrian statue of General Daniel D. BidwellDaniel D. BidwellDaniel Davidson Bidwell was a civic leader in Buffalo, New York, before the outbreak of the American Civil War. He enlisted early in the war and then was appointed colonel of a regiment of infantry...
.
- 8) Richmond Avenue (originally The Avenue): Connects Symphony Circle to Colonial Circle; 100 feet (30.5 m) wide and 6022 feet (1,835.5 m) in length. It traverses Ferry Circle at West Ferry Street.
- 9) Ferry Circle: A 300 feet (91.4 m) circle at the intersection of West Ferry Street, Massachusetts Street, and Richmond Avenue.
- 10) Symphony Circle: A 500 feet (152.4 m), 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) circle at the juncture of Porter Avenue with Richmond Avenue, North Street, Pennsylvania Street, and Wadsworth Street. Kleinhans Music HallKleinhans Music HallKleinhans Music Hall, home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, was built in the late 1930s and opened October 1940. It is located on Symphony Circle. The music hall was built as a part of the last will and testament of Edward L. and Mary Seaton Kleinhans, owners of the Kleinhans mens clothing...
is located on the southeast side of the circle; it was designated a National Historic LandmarkNational Historic LandmarkA National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1989. The circle is located within the Allentown Historic DistrictAllentown Historic District (Buffalo, New York)Allentown Historic District in the Allentown neighborhood of Buffalo, New York is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980....
.
- 11) Porter Avenue: A former city street incorporated into the parks system; connects Symphony Circle to Columbus Park and Front Park.
- 12) Columbus Park (formerly Prospect Park): A park located at the intersection of Niagara StreetNew York State Route 266New York State Route 266 is a state highway in Erie County, New York, in the United States. It runs along the Niagara River from the city of Buffalo to the city of North Tonawanda. The southern terminus of the route is at the ramps leading to Interstate 190 exit 8 in Buffalo...
and Porter Avenue; the site of the Connecticut Street ArmoryConnecticut Street ArmoryConnecticut Street Armory, also known as the 74th Regimental Armory, is a historic National Guard armory building located at Buffalo in Erie County, New York. It is sited at Columbus Park. It is a massive castle-like structure built in 1899 of Medina sandstone. It was designed by architect Isaac...
. The park is located adjacent to D'Youville CollegeD'Youville CollegeD'Youville College is a private, coeducational college, independent but with a Roman Catholic tradition. It is located on the West Side of Buffalo, New York, a few blocks from the international Peace Bridge, and has students from around the world...
and is home to a branch of the Buffalo & Erie County Public LibraryBuffalo & Erie County Public LibraryThe Buffalo & Erie County Public Library is located on Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York. The current facility, built in 1963, replaced the original Cyrus Eidlitz Buffalo Public Library Building dedicated in February 1887. The first Buffalo Public Library, in turn, replaced the Erie County, New...
. The Shelter House (ca. 1908) is a contributing structure.
- 13) Front Park (formerly The Front): A 32 acres (12.9 ha) park located at the beginning of the Niagara RiverNiagara RiverThe Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
and overlooking Lake ErieLake ErieLake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
. The park is home to the U.S. entrance to the Peace BridgePeace BridgeThe Peace Bridge is an international bridge between Canada and the United States at the east end of Lake Erie at the source of the Niagara River, about upriver of Niagara Falls. It connects the City of Buffalo, New York, in the United States to the Town of Fort Erie, Ontario, in Canada...
, erected in 1927 on the site of the former Fort PorterFort PorterFort Porter was constructed between 1841 and 1844 at Buffalo in Erie County, New York and named for General Peter Buell Porter. The site was bounded by Porter Avenue, Busti Avenue and the Erie Barge Canal. It was initially a square masonry two-story redoubt, 62 feet square, with crenelated walls...
, and includes baseball diamonds, large open playing fields, and tennis courts. The park contains a monument to Commodore Oliver Hazard PerryOliver Hazard PerryUnited States Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island , the son of USN Captain Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander, a direct descendant of William Wallace...
. The Picnic Shelter (ca. 1900) is a contributing structure.
The park system was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1982.
External links
- Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
- Olmsted Parks in Buffalo from Stanton M. Broderick
- Buffalo as an Architectural Museum, "Municipal Parks and City Planning: Frederick Law Olmsted's Buffalo Park and Parkway System," by Francis R. Kowsky, Reprinted with permission from the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, March 1987.