Riverside Park

The 22-acre Riverside Park was the last park the Olmsted firm designed in Buffalo.

Designed: 1898 – 1899 by Olmsted Brothers  |  Location: Between Niagara, Crowley, Vulcan and Tonawanda Streets

Overlooking the Niagara River, Riverside Park filled the missing piece in the park system by providing access to the river that, together with Lake Erie, is Buffalo’s other outstanding natural feature. Designed by Olmsted’s sons and successors after his retirement in 1895, it once had a landing on the river where boats from downtown would load and unload passengers.

The final Olmsted park designed for Buffalo was the city’s northernmost park, Riverside Park. The plan for this park was created in 1898. 22 acres in size, this park was built on the site of a private picnic ground overlooking the Erie Canal and the Niagara River.

Its formal feature was a fountain and music court, with a carriage drive separating them from a play area devoted to ball fields and from a series of minnow pools nestled amongst a dense grove of trees. Riverside Park was the first Buffalo park designed by Olmsted with a direct waterfront connection.

Olmsted’s design for Riverside Park has suffered considerably from intrusions and neglect. The noise of the Niagara Thruway is a significant distraction along the western portion of the park. In 2014, the River Rock Garden was designed and established as a reinterpretation of the original minnow pools.

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

(4) Baseball/Softball Diamonds
(1) Football/Soccer Field
(2) Tennis Courts
(3) Basketball Courts
(1) Ice Rink
(1) Swimming Pool
(1) Wading Pool
(1) Playground
(2) Shelters

Points of Interest

Lighthouse Monument
Petofi Monument
World War I Memorial
Niagara River Overlook

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

Photos of Riverside Park