The park was a setting for passive recreation in surroundings that evoked an ideal rural world. A rolling meadow dotted with trees and surrounded by woods formed the eastern portion. “There is no more beautiful picture than that of a beautiful meadow, over which level-armed sheltering trees cast broad shadows,” thought Olmsted. Visitors would find refreshment in simply contemplating its broad expanse of green space, strolling its rolling surface, or spreading a blanket on the ground to enjoy a picnic. Walking paths, a carriage drive, and bridle paths offered other possibilities to commune with nature. West of Delaware Avenue, Olmsted and Vaux created a picturesque lake for boating in summer and skating in winter by damning Scajaquada Creek that flowed through the site.

Although today’s park still offers much in the way of original features, many others have yet to be restored. These include Spire Head House (an exotic gazebo designed by Vaux), a quarry garden, bridle paths, and pedestrian pathways.

Olmsted had predicted that Delaware Park was destined to take a “distinguished position among the parks of the world.” Known as many Buffalonians’ favorite Olmsted park, it is also nationally recognized; it was named one of the Great Places in America by the American Planning Association in 2014 and one of the top 10 parks in the world by The Guardian in 2015.

Explore Hoyt Lake on a row boat! — 2022 SEASON OPENS MAY 27, 2022

Self-Guided Mobile Audio Tours 

Enjoy your historic Olmsted Parks with the free self-guided mobile audio tours of Delaware Park’s lake, meadow and Japanese Garden. From the Ivy Bridge to the Zoo Paddock, there are several points of interest to learn from.

Delaware Park Audio Tour presented by M&T Bank

Japanese Garden Audio Tour presented by Wegmans

Enjoy a TREEventure around Hoyt Lake

From the Oaks to the Maples, how well do you know your Olmsted trees? Learn more when you go on a TREEventure, presented by Univera Healthcare.