Front Park

Originally called The Front, Front Park was once the most popular recreational destination in the city and a prominent Buffalo icon. As with Delaware Park and MLK Jr. Park, Olmsted himself chose the location, but with a different vision in mind.

Designed: 1868 – 1870 by Olmsted & Vaux  |  Location: Porter & Busti Avenues

The most prominent feature of the 32-acre Front Park is the semi-circular terrace designed to command a panoramic view of Lake Erie and the opening of the Niagara River.  With the river as background, the park became an impressive setting for the enjoyment of scenery. Olmsted’s intent for Front Park was for entertainment, recreation, and civic display. His 1871 design includes a playground, grassy fields for baseball and cricket, a graveled terrace, and a proposed music stand. Olmsted believed baseball was a very democratic sport because anyone could play, therefore he placed them in his parks. Other Features of this park include the statue of Commodore Perry and the renovated shelter house.

The Parrott Rifles, a type of muzzle-loading artillery weapon, were restored and returned to their original location on the park’s terrace in 2013.

Intrusions on Olmsted’s Front Park include the construction of a bridge to connect the U. S. and Canada. Named the Peace Bridge, it was opened to traffic on June 1, 1925.  As modern traffic increased new highways resulted in expansion of the Peace Bridge and its vehicle approaches.  It claimed a significant portion of park land.  Today, the essential elements remain, but the Front is situated in uncomfortable proximity to the encroaching road network and effectively destroyed the park’s scenic view of the river.

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Self-Guided Mobile Audio Tour of Olmsted’s West Side

Experience Olmsted’s West Side with the free self-guided mobile audio tour. From Front Park to Colonial Circle, there are several points of interest to learn from.

West Side Audio Tour presented by Rich Products

Rich Products

Learn more

Support Your Parks

Our members are the core of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. With your unrestricted gift to the annual fund, our dedicated team takes care of the 850 acres of Olmsted green spaces in Buffalo. We count on your financial support to keep the Olmsted Parks clean, open spaces where Buffalonians continue to play, exercise and enjoy nature together.

Planning Your Visit

Amenities

Playground
Picnic tables
Picnic shelter
Soccer field
Tennis courts

Points of Interest

The Terrace (beautiful view of Lake Erie)
The Perry Monument

Rental Information

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is responsible for the rental of the Parkside Lodge, the fenced picnic area next to the Parkside Lodge, croquet courts in Delaware Park, the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park and the Crotty Casino in Cazenovia Park.

The Marcy Casino and Rose Garden in Delaware Park is rented through Magnolia Events.

FINDING YOUR WAY TO THE PARK