Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan

Implementation Guidelines for the Buffalo River, Cayuga Creek, Buffalo Creek and Cazenovia Creek within the City of Buffalo and Towns of Cheektowaga and West Seneca.

Prepared For: Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®

Prepared By: Lynn Mason, ASLA

With Assistance From: Julie Barrett O’Neill Jill Spisiak Jedlicka Lynda Schneekloth

May 2006 II TABLE OF CONTENTS FIGURE LIST pg. IV INVOLVED AGENCIES pg. VI EXECUTIVE SUMMARY pg. VII I. GREENWAY VISION pg. 1 1. Greenway Benefits pg. 3 2. Buffalo River Greenway Project Area pg. 8 II. GREENWAY PLANNING HISTORY pg. 15 1. Recent Projects pg. 17 2. Recent Planning Projects pg. 28 III. EXISTING GREENWAY RESOURCES pg. 29 1. Parks & Parkways pg. 31 2. Conservation Areas pg. 37 3. Bike/Hike Trails pg. 38 4. Boat Launches and Marinas pg. 41 5. Fishing Access and Hot Spots pg. 41 6. Urban Canoe Trail and Launches pg. 42 7. Heritage Interpretation Areas pg. 44 IV. PROPOSED NEW GREENWAY ELEMENTS pg. 47 1. Introduction pg. 49 2. Buffalo River Trail Segments pg. 56 3. Site Specific Opportunities pg. 58 V. IMPLEMENTATION pg. 95 1. Introduction pg. 97 2. Implementation Strategies pg. 106 3. Leveraging Resources and Identifying Funding pg. 108 4. Legislative Action pg. 110 5. Education and Encouragement pg. 110 6. Operations and Maintenance pg. 111 7. Trail Development pg. 112 8. Design Guidelines pg. 181 APPENDIX/ BACKGROUND INFORMATION pg. 189 A. Existing Greenway Resources pg. 191 B. Prohibited Uses pg. 209 C. Phytoremediation pg. 213 D. Buffalo River Paper Streets: A Status Report pg. 215 REFERENCES pg. 223

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan III FIGURE LIST I. GREENWAY VISION Figure 1.1 – Greenway Project Area pg. 8 Figure 1.2 – Greenway Project Area – Sub-Areas pg. 11 II. GREENWAY PLANNING HISTORY Figure 2.1 – Recent Projects pg. 19 III. EXISTING GREENWAY RESOURCES Figure 3.1 – Parks-Parkways-Conservation Areas pg. 31 Figure 3.2 – Bike Lanes-Canoe Launches-Fishing Spots pg. 39 Figure 3.3 – Urban Canoe Trail pg. 43 IV. PROPOSED NEW GREENWAY ELEMENTS Figure 4.1 – Conservation Areas and Public Access pg. 50 Figure 4.2 – Paper Streets pg. 53 Figure 4.3 – Site Specific Opportunities pg. 59 Figure 4.4 – Ohio/Michigan Canoe Launch and Park pg. 63 Figure 4.5 – Ohio/Michigan Canoe Launch and Park pg. 65 Figure 4.6 – Ohio Street Site Connections (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 67 Figure 4.7 – Ohio Street Site Connections (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 67 Figure 4.8 – Ohio Street Site Connections (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 67 Figure 4.9 – Old First Ward Link Site Concept (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 69 Figure 4.10 – St. Claire Street Walking Trail pg. 71 Figure 4.11 – Smith Street Entrance with Railroad Berm (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 73 Figure 4.12 – Proposed Smith Street Access (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 74 Figure 4.13 – Existing Smith Street Site pg. 74 Figure 4.14 – Smith Street Access Site Concept (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 75 Figure 4.15 – Parcels to be Developed as Mongovan Park (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 77 Figure 4.16 – Mongovan Park Site Concept (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 79 Figure 4.17 – Cargill Connection to Tifft Nature Preserve and Concrete Central pg. 82 Figure 4.18 – Southside School pg. 84 Figure 4.19 – Republic Steel Site Concept (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 85 Figure 4.20 – South Ogden Estates pg. 87 Figure 4.21 – Cayuga Creek and Buffalo Special Focus Areas pg. 89 Figure 4.22 – Cazenovia Creek Special Focus Areas pg. 89 Figure 4.23 – Rails-to-Trails pg. 91 Figure 4.24 – Cazenovia Creek and Legion Drive Greenways (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 93 V. IMPLEMENTATION Figure 5.1 – City-owned Parcels pg. 99 Figure 5.2 – City-owned Parcels pg. 101 Figure 5.3 – City-owned Parcels pg. 103 Figure 5.4 – Cayuga Creek – Town-owned Parcels pg. 104 Figure 5.5 – Buffalo Creek – Town-owned Parcels pg. 105 Figure 5.6 – Cazenovia Creek – Town-owned Parcels pg. 105

IV Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan GREENWAY TRAIL MAPS Buffalo River Trail Segments Map #1 pg. 115 Map #2 pg. 117 Map #3 pg. 117 Map #4 pg. 121 Map #5 pg. 123 Map #6 pg. 123 Map #7 pg. 129 Map #8 pg. 129 Map #9 pg. 131 Map#10 pg. 131

Cayuga Creek Trail Segments Map #11 pg. 136 Map #12 pg. 139 Map #13A pg. 143 Map #13B pg. 144 Map #14A pg. 143 Map #14B pg. 144

Buffalo Creek Trail Segments Map #15 pg. 148 Map #16 pg. 150 Map #17 pg. 152 Map #18A pg. 156 Map #18B pg. 157 Map #19 pg. 148 Map #20 pg. 163 Map #21 pg. 156 Map #22 pg. 157

Cazenovia Creek Trail Segments Map #23A pg. 170 Map #23B pg. 171 Map #24 pg. 175 Map #25A pg. 178 Map #25B pg. 179

APPENDIX/BACKGROUND INFORMATION Figure A.1 – Floodplains & Federal & State Wetlands pg.200 Figure A.2 – Site Map Showing Environmental Hazards pg. 207 Figure D.1 – Paper Streets pg. 218

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan V INVOLVED AGENCIES

The following are people that we would like to recognize as advisors and contributors to the Buffalo River Greenway Vision and Implementation Plan and the Buffalo River Remedial Action Plan.

BUFFALO RIVER REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

Joe Atkinson, UB Great Lakes Program Christopher Balduf, PVS Chemicals Julie Barrett O'Neill, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER ® Phil Berkeley, US Army Corps of Engineers Peg Bogucki, Seneca-Babcock Community Association Barry Boyer, University at Buffalo Frank DiMascio, Buffalo Sewer Authority Helen Domske, UB Great Lakes Program/NY Sea Grant Marty Doster, NYSDEC Region 9 Robbyn Drake, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER ® Tony Friona, US Army Corps of Engineers Mark Gaston, Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District David Gianturco, RAC Chair Chuck Godfrey, Erie County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Michael Hamilton, Buffalo Ornithological Society/ RIVERKEEPER ® Thomas R. Hersey, Jr., Erie County Dept. of Environment and Planning Kim Irvine, Buffalo State College Laura Kelly, Old First Ward Community Center Sandy Nasca, City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning Peg Overdorf, Valley Community Association Michael Raab, Erie County Dept. of Environment and Planning Mary Rossi, Erie County Dept. of Environment and Planning Byron Rupp, US Army Corps of Engineers Jill Singer, Buffalo State College Jill Spisiak Jedlicka, RAP Coordinator-Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER ® Joe Strasser, Old First Ward Community Center Mardell Sundown, Tonawanda Band of Senecas Betsy Trometer, US Fish and Wildlife Service John Whitney, USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service Margaret Wooster, Citizen

ADDITIONAL INVLOVED AGENCIES:

EPA-Region 2 EPA-Great Lakes National Program Office NYSDEC - Albany

VI Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

For generations, the Western New York community has advocated for the creation of a greenway corridor along the Buffalo River and its tributaries. Many people live adjacent to these waterways which offer opportunities for recreational activities, wildlife habitat, flood control and economic development; yet these people have limited access to them. When access is available it is often unsafe, overgrown, on contaminated property or accessed by crossing private property or old industrial property.

The Buffalo River Greenway Vision and Implementation Plan, has been developed to illustrate how a Greenway can benefit local residents and businesses adjacent to the Buffalo River, Cayuga Creek, Buffalo Creek and Cazenovia Creek as well as all of Western New York; and as a tool for lawmakers and decision makers to see how the Greenway can be constructed and completed.

Committed to transforming the vision of a Buffalo River Greenway into a reality, the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® obtained $6,500 in grant funding from the City Community Development Block Grant and Kodak American Greenways programs to examine past greenway proposals and existing conditions conduct numerous public outreach meetings, develop a trail system that reflects current conditions and outline a strategy for greenway development.

The Buffalo River Greenway Trail is the last segment of the City of Buffalo’s Greenway System that is to be implemented. Once completed The Greenway Trail will wind along the Buffalo River for over 13 miles, along Cayuga Creek for over 16 miles, Buffalo Creek for over 17 miles and Cazenovia Creek for over 17 miles and will create unprecedented public access and habitat areas along these waterways. The total estimated costs for Buffalo Greenway implementation is $5.83 million.

In addition to the creation of the Greenway Trail itself, there are numerous opportunities for low-cost greenspace preservation for development of recreational opportunities or for protection of wildlife habitat and flood control. These additional properties will complement the Greenway and offer even more economic and tourist benefits to those who utilize or live near the Buffalo River Greenway Trail. The Buffalo River Greenway, as proposed and documented within this Plan, would gain national attention and would assist in Western New York’s vision as a tourist destination for people seeking unique recreational opportunities, unique historical and architectural tourism opportunities, and unique wildlife viewing and preservation opportunities for generations to come.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan VII VIII I. GREENWAY VISION

1. GREENWAY BENEFITS pg. 3 GREENWAY GOALS pg. 4 GREENWAY OBJECTIVES pg. 4 ECONOMIC BENEFITS pg. 7

2. BUFFALO RIVER GREENWAY PROJECT AREA pg. 8

A. BUFFALO RIVER SUB-DISTRICT pg. 9 A.1 Inner and Outer Harbor A.2 Old First Ward/Tifft A.3 Valley/Steelfields A.4 Seneca Babcock A.5 Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor

B. CHEEKTOWAGA/WEST SENECA SUB-DISTRICT pg. 13 B.1 Cayuga Creek B.2 Buffalo Creek B.3 Cazenovia Creek

FIGURES pg. 8 Figure 1.1 – Greenway Project Area pg. 11 Figure 1.2 – Greenway Project Area – Sub-Areas

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 1 2 Greenway Vision 1. GREENWAY BENEFITS The Buffalo River Greenway offers many benefits to the local community including recreation, habitat, and improved water and air quality. The overall goal of the 2006 Buffalo River Greenway Vision and Implementation Plan is to provide a detailed, step by step description of how to implement the Greenway Trail. This Plan is designed to be used as a tool to provide guidance for local decision-makers. The following is a list of some of the benefits that the Buffalo River, its tributaries and any undeveloped open spaces have on surrounding communities and habitats:

Provides passive outdoor recreational opportunities and trails for City of Buffalo neighborhoods, Cheektowaga and West Seneca Improves property values of Buffalo River neighborhoods, Cheektowaga and West Seneca Increases heritage tourism potential for the City of Buffalo through the many industrial and agricultural heritage sites and assets along the Buffalo River, Cayuga Creek, Buffalo Creek and Cazenovia Creek Protects public health from contaminants located in the brownfields and inactive hazardous waste sites along the Buffalo River Vegetation found in open, undeveloped spaces along the River and its tributaries filters Buffalo River Kayakers pollutants from urban runoff and stormwater runoff Open spaces retain floodwaters from the River and its tributaries, reducing shoreline erosion and minimizing damages from floods to surrounding developments Provides critical and much needed vital riparian fish and wildlife habitat in an urban area Provides stormwater retention, reducing stress on the City’s combined sewer overflow system Canada Geese on the Buffalo River

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 3 Greenway Vision GREENWAY GOALS The Buffalo River Greenway has been designed to conserve, protect and enhance the benefits listed above while providing safe public access. In order to do this the Buffalo River Greenway implements the following goals:

1. Improve public access 2. Improve water quality 3. Improve fish and wildlife habitat 4. Improve the economic vitality of River communities 5. Protect the public’s health from contaminants 6. Maximize the benefits of the River as a natural, nonstructural flood management area

Fishing at a Combined Sewer Overflow on the Buffalo River GREENWAY OBJECTIVES 1. Improve public access for the entire region and adjacent neighborhoods to and along the Buffalo River, Cazenovia Creek, Buffalo Creek and Cayuga Creek, including tributaries and adjacent Waterfront a. Provide a continuous, multi-use trail system along the Buffalo River which links up to the City of Buffalo’s waterfront, and existing and proposed trail spurs that lead into and throughout the City and West Seneca, connecting to existing parks b. Provide and develop passive recreation and park spaces along the River for neighborhoods adjacent to the River’s waterfront throughout Buffalo and West Seneca c. Improve boat and marina access through the development of additional canoe launches, small boat launches and small craft docks d. Increase fishing access through the development and construction of fishing docks and overlook areas along sections of the River e. Improve the usability and access of the Buffalo River Urban Canoe Trail by cleaning and maintaining existing launches and any new launches in addition to adding new or replacing damaged signs and route markers f. Enforce the existing 100 foot setback established within the City of Buffalo, upstream from Ohio Street to the City Line g. Establish a 100 foot setback along Buffalo River tributaries for any new development that is not water dependent allowing public access to and along the River and its Canoeing on the Buffalo River tributaries h. Encourage and work with private landowners to provide public access on their sites adjacent to the Buffalo River and tributaries through Conservation Easements 4 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Vision 2. Improve water quality through the remediation of contaminated soils, groundwater and sediments a. Provide buffers of native or non-invasive vegetation which help to filter runoff and protect the River from non-point source pollution while stabilizing the River’s banks from erosion b. Minimize the amount of pollutant infiltration from inactive hazardous waste sites and brownfields through the use of phytoremediation c. Reduce the amount of development directly adjacent to the River which increases the amount of impermeable surfaces and reduces the amount of native vegetation by implementing and enforcing the 100 foot setback within the City of Buffalo d. Incorporate storm water controls and management into existing development which will help to capture, slow and filter water before it enters into the River e. Reduce the rate of erosion and sedimentation to the River by stabilizing the streambank with native vegetation and limiting development, removal of existing vegetation and high impact use along the River in areas prone to Blue Heron along shore of Buffalo River erosion by Buffalo Sewrer Authority

3. Improve fish and wildlife habitat both in the River and its tributaries and in upland areas a. Preserve and enhance critical areas along the River which are ecologically important to fish, waterfowl and other wildlife b. Restore the historical function of floodplains and remaining wetland areas while protecting sensitive species and wildlife from development c. Provide continuous open, vegetated and protected areas establishing a wildlife corridor along the Buffalo River that connects the River with significant wildlife areas including Tifft Nature Preserve, Concrete Central, Seneca Bluffs, Ogden Estates, and Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Cheektowaga White-tailed Deer along Buffalo River d. Establish a minimum 50 foot vegetative buffer along the River and tributaries

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 5 Greenway Vision 4. Improve the economic vitality of River communities including the City of Buffalo, West Seneca and Cheektowaga a. Provide a marketable recreational amenity for business property holders which increases the number of recreational users and visitors to the area increasing the number of consumers at local merchants b. Provide a marketable recreational amenity for residential property holders which increases the number of homes sold in the area and redevelopment of rundown and abandoned homes c. Incorporate sustainable development in appropriate areas in neighborhoods adjacent to the Buffalo River d. Incorporate low impact ecotourism and heritage tourism along the Buffalo River and surrounding heritage areas e. Increase existing property values by improving recreational facilities, cleaning and redeveloping abandoned and overgrown lots with either new residential, commercial or recreational uses f. Improve the quality of life for existing and new residents by providing recreational spaces, increased tree plantings, improved Houses along Louisiana Street at Ohio Street and access between neighborhoods, St. Clair Street to recreational facilities and commercial districts 5. Protect the public’s health from contaminants in both the water and land a. Limit the use and development of known contaminated or potentially contaminated sites for residential development or high contact uses until the site has been fully remediated and considered environmentally safe for development and use b. Design and create site access within potentially contaminated areas to minimize risk to potential Buffalo River Greenway users c. Incorporate phytoremediation in areas of use to help cleanup and reduce the impact and contact with contaminated and potentially contaminated areas

6. Maximize the benefits of the River as a natural, nonstructural flood management area a. Protect and enhance the River’s historic nature as a floodplain and natural floodwater retention capabilities by directing development away from floodplains by preventing further development of existing floodplains, and restoring historic floodplain functions where ever possible b. Reduce the impact of development within historic floodplains and protect homes and businesses by acquiring undeveloped floodplain property while protecting the natural function and flow of the River

6 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Vision ECONOMIC BENEFITS Rivers, trails, and greenway corridors are typically recognized for traditional qualities like environmental protection, recreational values, and aesthetic appearance. These corridors also have the potential to create jobs, enhance property values, expand local businesses, attract new or relocating businesses, increase local tax revenues, decrease local government expenditures, and promote the local community (National Parks Service (NPS) 1995). Regardless, the non- monetary value of open space should continue to be the primary emphasis in conservation efforts. For example, Greenways connect communities’ natural and cultural resources, link homes to workplaces, schools, shops, and recreation areas (Environment Canada 2005).

A Greenway Trail will not only attract local residents to the Greenway, but to local businesses, and even encourage residents to spend money on recreational related equipment and services. Specifically, people who use the Greenway may spend money to travel to and from the area, on equipment and supplies, on concessions, events, and nearby attractions (NPS 1995). The Buffalo River Greenway Trail encompasses a variety of existing attractions including Cazenovia Park and the Inner Harbor, and main business districts including Seneca Street and portions of South Park Avenue. The close proximity of the Greenway to Tifft Nature Preserve, Times Beach, Erie Basin Marina, the Olmsted Parks System, Gallagher Beach, Stiglmeier Park, Reinstein Woods and other small local parks and trail systems multiplies the draw that an established Trail would generate.

Numerous studies have demonstrated increased property values associated with the development of greenways. For example, one study discovered that greenbelts in the study area had a statistically significant impact on the price of residential property. Meaning, the closer the homes were to the greenway, the higher the property value. The study suggests that there is a $4.20 increase in the price of a residential property for every foot closer to the greenbelt within a 3,200 foot perimeter (Environment Canada, 2005).

A survey of Denver residential neighborhoods, conducted in 1991 by the Rocky Mountain Research Institute, shows the public’s increasing interest in greenways and trails. From 1980- 1990, those who said they would pay extra for greenways and parks in their neighborhoods rose from 16 to 48 percent (NPS 1995).

Family Fishing along Buffalo River

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 7 Greenway Vision 2. BUFFALO RIVER GREENWAY PROJECT AREA In order to study, analyze and better understand the Buffalo River Watershed, boundaries have been established around each waterway to help consolidate the amount of data, analyses, recommendations, and development. These boundaries also allow for easier use of the Greenway Vision and Implementation Plan when inquiring about specific data and development related to a particular area or site.

SUB-DISTRICTS The Project Area is broken down into distinct districts (Figure 1.1), some of which were established under the 1996 Greenway Plan, to help in analysis, inventory and project development and opportunities. These districts include:

A. Buffalo River Sub-District B. Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District

Figure 1.1

8 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Vision The Buffalo River Sub-District has been broken down into smaller Sub-Areas (Figure 1.2, page 11) to help manage the amount of data, inventory and analysis of the Buffalo River throughout the City of Buffalo. These Sub-Areas will allow for ease in reference and locating of specific sites and projects throughout the entire Project Area. These Sub-Areas, described in further detail later (see pages 9-10 for Sub-Areas), include :

A.1. Inner and Outer Harbor A.2. Old First Ward/Tifft A.3. Valley/Old Republic Steel A.4. Seneca Babcock A.5. Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor

The Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District has also been broken down into three smaller Sub-Areas (Figure 1.2, page 11) to help manage the amount of data, inventory and anaysis of Cheektowaga and West Seneca. These Sub-Areas will allow for ease in reference and locating of specific sites and projects throughout the entire Project Area. These Sub-Areas, described in further detail later (see page 13 for Sub-Areas), include:

B.1. Cayuga Creek B.2. Buffalo Creek B.3. Cazenovia Creek

A. BUFFALO RIVER SUB-DISTRICT The Buffalo River Sub-District extends from the Michigan Avenue Bridge, east (upstream) to the City Line along the eastern border. The district includes all land directly adjacent to the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek, extending from mean low waterline to the nearest major parallel street.

A.1 Inner and Outer Harbor While the Inner and Outer Harbor are not analyzed or discussed within this Implementation Plan there are several projects that are either in the development phase or have just been completed within these areas. The furthest area west discussed is the Michigan Street Bridge and Kelly Island. From this point you are able to connect up with the Inner Harbor by following South Park Avenue. Outer Harbor projects such as Times Beach and the Outer Harbor Bike Trail, which is part of the Shoreline Trail, can be reached by crossing the Michigan Street Bridge onto Kelly Island and following Ganson Street south to Ohio Street.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 9 Greenway Vision A.2 Old First Ward/Tifft This Sub-Area is bounded by Michigan Avenue and Fuhrmann Boulevard to the west, South Park Avenue to the north, Conrail and Lehigh Valley Railroad right-of-way the east and Tifft Street to the south. Much of the area is dominated by industrial uses, particularly grain elevators, with much of the land owned by industrial owners including BOC Gases, the largest landowner. The Conrail right-of-way is an active rail line that presents a significant barrier to pedestrian travel and access on the Buffalo River’s north bank. Within this Sub-Area the City owns a 4.8 acre parcel at the southeast tip of the Katherine Street peninsula, which has been identified as a potential habitat restoration area and public park. The Sub-Area is also rich in industrial heritage and is dominated by grain elevators including Cargill Electric, American, Lake & Rail, and Standard. The dominant feature of this Sub-Area is the 264-acre site of the Tifft Nature Preserve consisting of ponds, wetlands, nature trails and boardwalks, a visitor’s center and important and critical native vegetation, wildlife and habitat.

A.3 Valley/Steelfields The Valley/Old Republic Steel Sub-Area, is bordered by the Conrail and Lehigh Valley Railroad right-of-way lines to the west, Elk Street on the north, on the east by Hopkins, South Park and Bailey Avenues, and Tifft Street on the south. The shoreline is dominated by Buffalo Color Corporation’s hazardous waste remediation site, which occupies 19- acres on the “Red Jacket Peninsula”. Two other major riverside landholders include the City and the NFTA. There are also several private business owners along Bailey Avenue.

A.4 Seneca Babcock This Sub-Area is bounded by Lehigh Valley Railroad and South Park Avenue on the west, Elk Street on the north, Bailey Avenue on the east, and the Buffalo River on the south. Much of this land is dominated by chemical manufacturing; sulfuric acid by PVS Chemicals, oil storage by Mobil Oil, and a pumping station of the Buffalo Sewer Authority. These land uses and rail lines make public access and recreational use difficult in many sections of this Sub-Area.

A.5 Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor The Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor is bordered by Bailey Avenue, Seneca Street and the I-190 and the confluence of the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek on the west, Clinton Street and Casimer Avenue on the north, the City/West Seneca border on the east and by South Legion Drive on the south. Within this Sub-Area, the City owns many tracts of land which allows for important and well-used recreational access to the River. The area surrounding Cazenovia Creek is dominated by one and two-family residential homes. One of the main features of this Sub-Area is Olmsted’s Cazenovia Park which consists of a golf course, playfields and picnic areas.

10 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan

Greenway Vision B. CHEEKTOWAGA/WEST SENECA SUB-DISTRICT The Cheektowaga/West Seneca area is not broken down into Sub-Areas. Information, inventory, project opportunities and descriptions are categorized by the three Buffalo River tributaries; Cayuga Creek, Buffalo Creek and Cazenovia Creek.

B.1 Cayuga Creek The boundary of the Cayuga Creek Sub-Area includes a small section of West Seneca as Cayuga Creek branches from Buffalo Creek. From the branch, Cayuga Creek runs north (upstream) to the border of Cheektowaga, through Cheektowaga to its eastern border with Depew. This Sub-Area includes all land adjacent to Cayuga Creek and extends inland from Cayuga Creek to the nearest adjacent road or railroad right-of way parallel to the Creek.

B.2 Buffalo Creek The boundary of the Buffalo Creek Sub-Area includes the remaining section of the Buffalo River at the boundary line between the City of Buffalo and West Seneca, east to the beginning of Buffalo Creek and follows Buffalo Creek east (upstream) through West Seneca to the Elma border. The Sub-Area includes all land adjacent to Buffalo Creek and extends inland from the Creek to the nearest adjacent road or railroad right-of way parallel to the Creek.

B.3 Cazenovia Creek The Boundary of the Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area follows Cazenovia Creek from the City line of Buffalo, where the Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor Sub-Area ends, east (upstream) through West Seneca to the Elma border. The Sub-Area includes all land adjacent to Cazenovia Creek and extends inland from the Creek to the nearest adjacent road or railroad right-of-way parallel to the Creek.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 13 14 II. GREENWAY PLANNING HISTORY

1. RECENT PROJECTS pg. 17 INTRODUCTION pg. 17

1.1 HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS pg. 21 1 – Ohio Street, Buffalo 2 – Katherine Street Peninsula, Buffalo 3 – Smith Street, Buffalo 4 – Confluence Park, Buffalo 1.2 RED JACKET PENINSULA, BUFFALO – pg. 24 Buffalo Color Corporation Hazardous Waste Remediation Site 1.3 OLD REPUBLIC STEEL SITE (STEELFIELDS), BUFFALO pg. 25 1.4 OLD BAILEY WOODS PARK, BUFFALO pg. 25 1.5 SENECA BLUFFS, BUFFALO pg. 26 1.6 CHARLS E. BURCHFIELD NATURE AND ARTS pg. 27 CENTER, WEST SENECA 1.7 DONATION OF VACANT LAND ALONG BUFFALO pg. 27 CREEK, WEST SENECA 1.8 BUFFALO CREEK STREAMBANK STABALIZATION pg. 27 PARTNERSHIP PROJECT, WEST SENECA

2. RECENT PLANNING PROJECTS pg. 28

2.1 GREENWAY TRAIL DESIGN, BUFFALO, pg. 28 CHEEKTOWAGA AND WEST SENECA 2.2 CAZENOVIA CREEK HABITAT RESTORATION AND pg. 28 STEWARDSHIP PROJECT, BUFFALO 2.3 STIGLMEIER PARK STEERING COMMITTEE, pg.28 WEST SENECA

FIGURES Figure 2.1 – Recent Projects pg. 19

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 15 16 Greenway Planning History 1. RECENT PROJECTS

INTRODUCTION For generations the City of Buffalo and surrounding communities within Western New York have advocated for the creation of a greenway corridor along the Buffalo River and its tributaries. Residents have advocated for the revitalization of old industrial property as well as the development of appropriate and needed flood control, pollution prevention, habitat, community recreation space and appropriate and sustainable development. All designs that have been completed to date or that have been recommended, address site specific opportunities to emphasize and enhance our natural and cultural history while providing economic benefits and recreational opportuitues.

In 1975, the former Erie and Niagara Counties Regional Planning Board published a Buffalo River/ Buffalo Creek Recreation and Open Space Plan which, using an “activity corridor” concept, suggested a series of neighborhood parks linked by trails and pathways, beginning at the Inner Harbor and extending into Elma. The plan was designed as a component of a regional recreation and open space plan built around the region’s waterways. Specific proposals within the City of Buffalo included the creation of an 11,000 linear foot park from the railroad crossing near Germania to the City line at West Seneca, bikeway connections to downtown and the outer harbor, creation of a 170 acre passive recreation area and scenic enhancements to the Cazenovia Creek area.

Since the development of this proposed Buffalo River/Buffalo Creek Recreation and Open Space Plan many more plans have been developed, some of which have components that are being implemented. Several of these past plans have been used in the development of this Greenway Implementation Plan and are referenced often as research tools, and for their developed guidelines and recommendations. These plans include:

1. 1989 Buffalo River Remedial Action Plan 2. 1996 Buffalo River Greenway Plan and Design Guidelines, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®, Frederick Holman Associates 3. 1997 Buffalo and Cayuga Creeks Corridor Restoration Study: Final Report, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®, Poole 4. 2002 Buffalo River Paper Streets: A Status Report, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® 5. 2003 Buffalo River Greenway Implementation Plan, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® 6. 2005 City of Buffalo Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, City of Buffalo, Wendel Duchscherer

One of the purposes of this report is to reflect the success of the 1996 Buffalo River Greenway Plan and the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study while updating the goals, design guidelines and site specific opportunities to include the three main tributaries of the Buffalo River. The following information discusses projects that were suggested and designed within the 1996 Greenway Plan and the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study that have been recently completed and or expanded upon by the City, local agencies and individuals.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 17 18

Greenway Planning History Since the 1996 Greenway Plan and the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study, several proposed Conservation Areas, public access and park spaces have been acquired and are either completed or are in the planning stages. These include (see Figure 2.1 on page 19 for site locations):

1.1 HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS Through a collaborative effort between the City of Buffalo and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, three Buffalo River Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Projects along the Buffalo River have been completed and one has been proposed since the 1996 Greenway Plan.

1 – Ohio Street, Buffalo The Habitat Restoration Project at Ohio Street is a 2-acre canoe launch owned and partially developed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Restoration of the site primarily consisted of replanting native vegetation and construction of public access including trails, a canoe launch and fishing platforms with a total of 1,050 linear feet of shoreline (Department of Boat launch at Ohio Street Environment and Planning).

View of River from Ohio Street

2 – Katherine Street Peninsula, Buffalo The proposed Habitat Restoration Project is on a 4.8-acre parcel owned by the City of Buffalo at the foot of Katherine Street Peninsula. While the project hasn’t been completed there is currently a plan for the site that includes recreational uses such as fishing access, canoe landings and picnic areas, as well as protecting and enhancing the existing vegetation and wildlife habitat (Department of Environment and Planning). View of Buffalo River at Katherine Street Peninsula

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 21 Greenway Planning History 3 – Smith Street, Buffalo The Habitat Restoration Project at the foot of Smith Street is a County of Erie administered waterfront park that was proposed and supported in the 1996 plan as a Buffalo River Fish and Wildlife Restoration Project. The preserved and enhanced open/conservation space on a 3.7-acre City-owned site was once a small debris and garbage dumping ground. Begun in 1997, the project consisted of a preserved and enhanced backwater wetland along the shoreline, interpretive Entrance sign at Smith Street trails, a fishing over look, a canoe docking area, and native plantings throughout the site. The enhanced wetland was constructed using excavated material from Buckhorn Marsh on Grand Island which provided a seedbed to ensure the growth of native wetland plant species. Underwater logs were also placed in the reconstructed conservation area to help improve aquatic species habitat, while an in-water rock reef was created to develop and establish a riverine wetland (Department of Environment and Parking area at Smith Street Planning).

View of Concrete Central (left) and active rail tracks Constructed wetlands at Smith Street crossing the Buffalo River from Smith Street site

22 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Planning History

In conjunction with the Smith Street Habitat Restoration Project the Valley Community Association (VCA) has undertaken numerous restoration activities and efforts on lands behind the Valley Community Center. They have also created a trail that links the Valley Community Center with the Smith Street Site. Land acquisition and VCA ownership would greatly help secure these efforts, the open space and trail for future use, which already greatly benefits Public School 33 and the Community Center. In addition, the Smith Street entrance to restoration site showing abandoned railroad berm wetland pond between the Community Center and River should be preserved and enhanced. The conceptual design for this area can be seen on pages 73-75 in Proposed New Greenway Elements.

4 – Confluence Park, Buffalo Located at the confluence of Cazenovia Creek and the Buffalo River at Bailey Avenue, the 4.2-acre City-owned site is known as “Bailey Avenue Peninsula”. The County administered restoration of the site incorporated improvements to the existing trail system, public access to fishing spots and scenic overlooks along the River and interpretive signage. Since the site is heavily wooded little, construction was needed. Restoration Entrance to Bailey Avenue Peninsula included shoreline softening along the edge of the peninsula and placement of anchored logs to improve fish and aquatic habitat as well as shorebird habitat. Buffalo River stakeholders have worked with the County on developing and implementing the site plan developed for this site. (Department of Environment and Planning).

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 23 Greenway Planning History 1.2 RED JACKET PENINSULA, BUFFALO (Buffalo Color Corporation Hazardous Waste Remediation Site) The now-defunct Buffalo Color Corporation completed a cleanup of the 19-acre peninsula known as the “Red Jacket Peninsula” in 1997. The hazardous waste remediation site included containing and capping the 19 acres as well as pumping and treating the contaminated groundwater. Honeywell International, Inc. also included with the clean up and site remediation the creation of Access road from Smith Street looking toward wetlands and wildlife habitat on 700 feet of abandoned railroad bridge shoreline. The wetland work included the planting of submergent and emergent marsh areas and native woody vegetation (tree and shrub) areas outside the mean River level. The remediation of this inactive hazardous waste site was conducted to cleanup and prevent contaminated groundwater from migrating to the River. The restoration efforts also included removal of debris and the addition of topsoil to riprap areas for planting purposes. A 600-foot long nature trail was constructed in 1999 adjacent to the site as part of the Smith Street Habitat Restoration Trails at Smith Street/Red Jacket Peninsula Project. Native shoreline vegetation and trees were protected on the site during trail construction, with the addition of native trees, shrubs and open areas of grass and meadow vegetation added after the trail was finished to help complete and enhance the area and wildlife potential (Raybuck).

Sign marker at Red Jacket Peninsula Trails at Smith Street/Red Jacket Peninsula

24 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Planning History 1.3 OLD REPUBLIC STEEL SITE (STEELFIELDS), BUFFALO As the DEC is nearing completion of the remediation project of the Steelfields at the former Republic Steel site, public ownership should be obtained as the site is being promoted for planned commercial redevelopment. This will ensure the protection of habitat on the site and shoreline, the ability to remediate shoreline and erosion problems in the area, and allow the Buffalo River Greenway Trail to be designed and sited accordingly within the potential future commercial development.

1.4 OLD BAILEY WOODS PARK, BUFFALO Old Bailey Woods was designated as a park on June 26, 2001. This was the result of a lawsuit filed by the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® (formerly Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers) against the City of Buffalo for failure to require Iron Mountain, Inc. to do an Environmental Impact Statement for their facility expansion on Bailey Avenue. An out-of-court settlement with the City resulted in Iron Mountain Some of the last remnants of floodplain forest is purchasing the adjacent 3.2-acre floodplain located in Old Bailey Woods forest and selling it back to the City which interned dedicated it as a park. The new park area required several days of clean up by the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®, citizens and support from the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program. The 1996 Greenway Plan called for the development of a small boat launch at this site. No formal public access or construction has been conducted at this site to date (Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® 2001).

View of Bailey Avenue bridge and Bailey Avenue Peninsula (right)

Local anglers access the site frequently Ribbon cutting ceremony - June 26, 2001

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 25 Greenway Planning History 1.5 SENECA BLUFFS, BUFFALO The restoration of Seneca Bluffs, a 12-acre floodplain located along the Buffalo River, was completed in 2004 by the Erie County Department of Environmental Planning. Access to the site is near the Seneca Street Bridge, between Elk Street and Avon Place at Jordan Place. Seneca Bluffs contains a variety of unique and distinct habitats along the Buffalo River including dozens of mature cottonwoods and willows, several that are 50 years or older. There is a backwater channel on the site between the floodplain island and mainland which provides habitat for fish, amphibians, migratory birds and waterfowl. The restoration of Seneca Bluffs included the protection of some of the only remaining historical remnants of floodplain forest and wetland vegetation once found all along the Buffalo River. Protection of this vegetation and habitat allows future generations the ability to use and learn from the land through hiking, fishing, and bird Clean-up along Seneca Bluffs watching. Restoration and enhancement included wetland habitat, aquatic habitat and upland habitat. This included enhancing two acres of wetlands and in-stream work to create habitat area for reptiles, amphibians and fish. Restoration also focused on non-point source pollution control by eliminating unathorized access and use of the site. This will help reduce erosion of the stream banks and over compaction of the soil allowing for better stormwater runoff controls into the River. Passive recreation was aslo considered in the restoration of Seneca Bluffs. Elements constructed as well as proposed included a hiking trail system with benches, and interpretive signs, fishing access point, bird-watching areas, access for canoeing and kayaking, as well as outdoor environmental education areas (Department of Environment and Planning).

Backwater channel and wetland at Seneca Bluffs Floodplain and floodplain forest at Seneca Bluffs

26 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Planning History 1.6 CHARLES E. BURCHFIELD NATURE AND ARTS CENTER, WEST SENECA The 1997 Corridor Restoration Study called for the acquisition of the decaying Island Park, on Union Road across from Indian Church Road. The popular Island Park Hotel burned down in 1974. In 1999, acquisition and redevelopment of the Park took place, when the land became home to the Charles E. Burchfield Nature and Arts Center (Manley 2004). The 15.39-acre grounds and land once again are used for picnicking and hiking on the nature trails, while providing habitat and access for the Buffalo Creek.

1.7 DONATION OF VACANT LAND ALONG BUFFALO CREEK, WEST SENECA In 2004 a motion was passed to accept the donation of 14 acres of vacant land at 2805 Clinton Street as a nature preserve adjacent to Buffalo Creek, in honor of the properties late owners, Robert and Bernadette Jacobs (Wisniewski 2004). The property contains the old oxbow in the Buffalo Creek which helps alleviate flooding in the area, and is also adjacent to the low head dams within the Creek. West Seneca has also pursued option to acquire more floodplain land within this area to help manage and maintain the oxbow, dams, wetlands and floodplains. With the acquisition of this land West Seneca officials need to meet with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate alternatives concerning the Earsing sills, erosion and flood control structures in this area on Buffalo Creek. Removing of the sills should be discussed, re-establishing flow in the original channel, and restoring the donated parcel and surrounding land as wetlands and habitat area, as well as utilizing the area for flood control purposes.

1.8 BUFFALO CREEK STREAMBANK STABALIZATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT, WEST SENECA This streambank stabilization project has been undertaken and managed by the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District (ECSWCD) along with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Phase I – Started in 2003, includes the implementation of stream bank stabilization measures on 13 project sites in Buffalo Creek Watershed. Phase II – Started in 2004 focuses on the continued effort to implement stream bank stabilization measures on 12 project sites in Buffalo Creek Watershed. (ECSWCD 2003)

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 27 Greenway Planning History 2. RECENT PLANNING PROJECTS Since the 1996 Greenway Plan and the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study, several planning projects have been developed or commenced. These planning projects include:

2.1 GREENWAY TRAIL DESIGN, BUFFALO, CHEEKTOWAGA AND WEST SENECA The Buffalo River Greenway Trail has been worked on and developed steadily since the 1996 Greenway Plan was written. As part of 2001 grant obtained by the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®, an Implementation Plan was developed in 2003 which included a detailed description of the Buffalo River Greenway Trail as it has been studied and sited today. The proposed Greenway Trail has been mapped through the City of Buffalo from Michigan Street Lift Bridge to the Ogden Estates North.

2.2 CAZENOVIA CREEK HABITAT RESTORATION AND STEWARDSHIP PROJECT, BUFFALO In August 1999, the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (DEP) was awarded a $69,750.00 grant from the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to pursue this Restoration and Stewardship project. The goal of the project was to restore habitat in the Buffalo River Watershed, primarily Cazenovia Creek, and to institute a community stewardship project for the continued protection of the Creek. The grant for the project was officially completed in May 2002. Cazenovia Creek, a main tributary to the Buffalo River, was chosen for this project primarily because the Creek contributes contaminated sediments to the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) (United States Environmental Protection Agency 2006).

2.3 STIGLMEIER PARK STEERING COMMITTEE, WEST SENECA The 1997 Corridor Restoration Study called for the development of a Steering Committee for Stiglmeier Park, which has been established. The Steering Committee works to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the park while balancing the needs of park users and desire for recreational space.

28 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan III. EXISTING GREENWAY RESOURCES

1. Parks and Parkways pg. 31

2. Conservation Areas pg. 37

3. Bike/Hike Trails pg. 38

4. Boat Launches and Marinas pg. 41

5. Fishing Access and Hot Spots pg. 41

6. Urban Canoe Trail and Launches pg. 42

7. Heritage Interpretation Areas pg. 44 7.1 HERITAGE TOURISM – INDUSTRIAL & AGRICULTURAL 7.2 NATIVE AMERICAN SITES

FIGURES Figure 3.1 – Parks-Parkways-Conservation Areas pg. 31 Figure 3.2 – Bike Lanes-Canoe Launches-Fishing Spots pg. 39 Figure 3.3 – Urban Canoe Trail pg. 43

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 29 30

Existing Greenway Resources 1. Parks and Parkways The following data for Buffalo has been obtained and analyzed from GIS data as well as the 1996 Greenway Plan. The information for West Seneca and Cheektowaga has been obtained from the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study, which used information provided by the representatives of each town, the 1999 Town of West Seneca Municipal Open Space & Greenway Protection Report, and the 2004 Town of West Seneca Comprehensive Plan. Each document has since been analyzed and confirmed through GIS data as well as additional research and resources for this Plan.

Inventory of Parks: There are many large regional parks as well as smaller community parks and playgrounds that exist throughout the Greenway Project Area (Figure 3.1, page 31). These include:

Buffalo River Sub-District 1. Chicago-Perry Playground along Perry Street, a 3.1-acre community playground park 2. Father Conway Park along Ohio Street, an 11-acre park with baseball and sports fields

3. Redmond Playground along South Park Avenue and Leddy Street, an 8.5-acre community playground park adjacent to the Valley Community Center with sport fields, and trails that connect to Smith Street Park 4. Smith Street Park is a 12.2-acre park located at the foot of Smith Street adjacent to the River which contains the 3.7-acre Buffalo River Habitat Restoration site, parking and trails connecting up to Redmond playground 5. Houghton/Stachowski Park along Clinton Street is a 60.5-acre site with several baseball fields, sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, a pool, parking and walking trails

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 33 Existing Greenway Resources 6. Tifft Farm Nature Preserve is a 264-acre nature refuge with a pond, wetlands, nature trails and boardwalks 7. Tifft Farm Playfields is a 20-acre park with baseball and sports fields 8. Taylor Playground along Germania Street is a 3.3-acre community park with open fields for play 9. Houghton Playground along Durant and Osage Street is a 4.4-acre community park with open fields for play 10. Taylor Park along South Park is a 2.1-acre community park with open fields for play across from South Park High School 11. Mulroy Playground along Tifft Street is a 7.5-acre community park with baseball fields and basketball courts 12. Okell Playground along South Park Avenue is a 6.4-acre community park with baseball fields and a basketball court 13. Confluence Park – “Bailey Avenue Peninsula” – is a 4.2-acre park developed as a Buffalo River Habitat Restoration site with hiking trails and interpretive signage 14. Heacock Park at McKinley Parkway, Abbott Road and South Park Avenue is a 4.3- acre park of open fields and is part of the Olmsted Park system 15. Hillery Park along Mineral Springs and Pawnee is a 13.6-acre park with baseball fields, sport field and basketball courts 16. Cazenovia Park along Potters Road (West Seneca and Buffalo) is a 194- acre Olmsted Park with several baseball fields, open play fields, golf course, roads and walking paths 17. Brookdale Playground along McKinley Parkway is a 2.2-acre community park with open fields for play

There are other small pocket parks that exist throughout the Project Area, many within the residential areas. Several vacant areas adjacent to the River are used by residents for recreational purposes even though they are not designated as park space. Many of these areas are also on privately owned land. The use of these parcels of land often raises safety issues to both the land owner as well as the person illegally accessing the land for fishing and hiking purposes.

34 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Existing Greenway Resources

Cayuga Creek Sub-Area, Cheektowaga 18. Stiglmeier Park along Losson and Como Park is a 308-acre park with sports fields and nature, hiking trails 19. Firemans Park along Losson Road is a 5.4-acre park adjacent to Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

These two areas include passive recreational areas with hiking trails as well as other playfields. There are other smaller pocket and suburban parks that exist within the Project Area. However, many of these parks are small and only serve the immediate residents that surround them.

Buffalo Creek Sub-Area, West Seneca 20. Madison Park along Indian Church Road is a 7.6-acre park with baseball fields and a basketball court 21. Charles E. Burchfield Art and Nature Center along Union Road, adjacent to Buffalo Creek, is a 29- acre park uniting art and nature through a gallery building, nature trails, an amphitheater, specialized gardens and nature and art programs

Similar to Cheektowaga, there are several small pocket and suburban parks that only serve the immediate residents that surround them.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 35 Existing Greenway Resources Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area, West Seneca In comparison to the Buffalo Creek Sub-Area there are several parks and open spaces along the Cazenovia Creek Project Area. These parks include:

22. West Seneca Soccer Complex is a 49-acre park located adjacent to Cazenovia Creek along Seneca Street has soccer fields, walking paths, playgrounds and basketball courts 23. Centennial Park along Union Road, a 18.2-acre park with volleyball, basketball, baseball fields and in ground swimming and wading pools, picnic shelters, tables and grills, playground, batting cages, band shell and a Community Recreation Center 24. Mill Road Park located along Cazenovia Creek and Mill Road, a 4.6-acre park 25. Volunteer Fireman’s Park, part of the West Seneca Developmental Center along East and West Road, a 22.35-acre park with soccer, tennis, basketball, and baseball fields as well as a playground and picnic tables, grill, and shelters 26. Sunshine Park, part of the West Seneca Developmental Center along East and West Road, a 66.6- acre park with soccer, basketball and baseball fields, walking paths and nature trails and picnic tables

Parkways There are several Olmsted Parks and Parkway systems throughout the Project Area. The main Parkway system, which is a wide road way designed with a planted median, is McKinley Parkway. Olmsted’s Parkway system was designed so that the park setting was extended beyond each of his parks along the roadways that connected each of his parks. McKinley Parkway connects up Olmsted’s Cazenovia Park and South Park with Heathcock Park, Abbott Road and the traffic circle at McClellan. Traffic circles, also designed as parts of Olmsted’s system were designed to direct people along the system when parkways turned into various directions. The larger traffic circles are often planted with seating areas.

36 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Existing Greenway Resources 2. Conservation Areas There are several Conservation Areas throughout the Buffalo River Greenway Project Area (Figure 3.1, page 31). The two largest sites include Tifft Nature Preserve and the more recently developed Times Beach. Seneca Bluffs is also an important Conservation Area as it is located only two miles from these sites and is part of the North American migratory bird flyway. The following is a complete list of Conservation Areas within the Greenway Project Area:

Buffalo River Sub-District A. DEC Ohio Street Canoe Launch is a 2-acre Habitat Restoration Area along Ohio Street, adjacent to Father Conway Park, which has hiking trails, a canoe launch, fishing platform and parking for 15 cars B. Proposed conservation area at Katherine Street Peninsula – see page 21 Greenway Planning History, for more information C. Smith Street Park – see page 33 Parks and Parkways for more information D. Confluence Park, also know as “Bailey Avenue Peninsula”, is located at the confluence of Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek at Bailey Avenue – see page 34 Parks and Parkways for more information E. Seneca Bluffs is a 15-acre floodplain located along the Buffalo River near the Seneca Street Bridge between Elk Street and Avon Place at Jordan Place, and includes a hiking trail system with benches, and interpretive signs, fishing access point, bird-watching areas, access for canoeing and kayaking, as well as outdoor environmental education areas F. Tifft Farm Nature Preserve – see page 34 Parks and Parkways for more information G. Old Bailey Woods Park is a 3.2-acre floodplain forest located between Payson Street and Bailey Avenue

Cayuga Creek Sub-Area, Cheektowaga H. Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is a 292-acre complex of forests, ponds and wetlands with nature and hiking trails I. DEC Harlem Road Canoe Launch and urban canoe trail, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Project (F&W HRP), West Seneca – a 3 acre site used by canoeists and fisherman with parking available for 25 cars

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 37 Existing Greenway Resources 3. – Bike/Hike Trails The following data for Buffalo has been obtained and analyzed from GIS data as well as the 1996 Greenway Plan. The information for West Seneca and Cheektowaga has been obtained from the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study, which used information provided by the representatives of each town, the 1999 Town of West Seneca Municipal Open Space & Greenway Protection Report, and the 2004 Town of West Seneca Comprehensive Plan. Each document has since been analyzed and confirmed through GIS data as well as additional research and resources for this Plan.

Buffalo River Sub-District There are three main roads through the Buffalo River Sub-District that have a separate designated on-street bike lane that is striped and marked as such. These designated bike lanes exist on Tifft Street from Fuhrmann Boulevard leading to South Park Avenue, McKinley Parkway from South Park Avenue to Abbott Road, and Scott Street in downtown Buffalo. There are also several other roads that have been designated as being compatible for bike riding within the Buffalo River Sub-District that do not have separate designated bike lanes (Figure 3.2, page 39). These roads are all determined by the Federal Highway Administration as being compatible for bicycling. The bicycle compatibility index (BCI) uses a formula based on traffic volume, speed of traffic, lane width and other indicators of a bicyclists stress to rank a road segment compatible for bike riding. If the road is determined compatible for bicycling, the road is then classified and equated to a level of service (LOS) (Federal Highway Administration, Carol Tan Esse). These LOS bike roads include Ohio Street, South Park Avenue, Louisiana Street, Smith Street, Hopkins Street, Bailey Avenue, Abbott Road and Seneca Street.

There are several natural hiking trails that exist within the Buffalo River Sub-District that are either adjacent to the River or located within parks throughout the project area. Many of these hiking trails are dirt trails that are independent of other parks or trails.

The Buffalo River Urban Canoe Trail is also another important waterway trail that runs from the West Seneca Project Area at Harlem Road to the DEC site on Ohio Street. (See Section 6, Urban Canoe Trail and Launches, on pages 42-43 for more information.)

38 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan

Existing Greenway Resources Cayuga Creek Sub-Area, Cheektowaga There are three main LOS bike roads, Harlem Road, Union Road and Transit Road that cross the Cayuga Creek Sub-Area. There are two LOS bike roads that run parallel to the Creek along the northern border of the Sub-Area, Cayuga Creek Road/William Street and Bennett Road/Como Park Boulevard, with a third, Losson Road along the southern border of the Sub-Area (Figure 3.2, page 39). There are several hiking trails that exist within Stiglmeier Park that run along Cayuga Creek, adjacent forests and wetlands that include Reinstein Woods.

Buffalo Creek Sub-Area, West Seneca There are currently no designated trails within the West Seneca Project Area surrounding Buffalo Creek. There are two designated LOS bike roads, Harlem Road and Union Road that cross over Buffalo Creek within the Sub-Area, as well as another LOS bike road, Clinton Street, that runs the entire length of the northern border of the Buffalo Creek Sub-Area (Figure 3.2, page 39).

Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area, West Seneca There are several nature trails and walking paths that are found within the parks that exist in the Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area, most of which are located within Cazenovia Park. There are also four designated LOS bike roads, Southside Parkway, Orchard Park Road, Union Road and Transit Road that cross over Cazenovia Creek, as well as Abbott Road that runs parallel to the Creek to the south and Seneca Street that runs the entire length of the Creek along the Project Area’s northern border (Figure 3.2, page 39).

4. Boat Launches and Marinas There are several marinas and small boat launches located at the mouth of the Buffalo River and along the Outer Harbor along Lake Erie (Figure 3.2, page 39). These Marinas include Erie Basin Marina along the northern mouth of the Buffalo River, NFTA Small Boat Harbor and South End Marina along the Outer Harbor, along with several small marinas along the City Ship Canal. The NFTA Small Boat Harbor has the most public launch sites.

5. Fishing Access and Hot Spots There are several designated fishing hot spot areas located within Lake Erie just outside the Greenway area (Figure 3.2, page 39). Buffalo River, Buffalo Creek, Cayuga Creek and Cazenovia Creek are all classified as Steelhead Trout Streams. There are several designated shore fishing spots on the Buffalo River, one located at the Bailey Avenue Peninsula another at the 4.9-acre site on Smith Street. The Smith Street site has as a constructed fishing overlook and 800 linear feet of shoreline. There is another designated shore fishing spot at the confluence of Buffalo Creek and Cayuga Creek at the Harlem Road fishing/canoe access site. The only other designated shore fishing site on Cayuga Creek is outside of the Greenway area in Lancaster. There are several areas that are known as prime fishing spots with healthy fish populations along the Buffalo River. Many of these spots are difficult to get to and are located on private land or land that is contaminated or designated as a brownfield. There are several areas along Buffalo, Cayuga and Cazenovia Creeks where people are often seen fishing. However, these areas have limited access, are on private land or anglers have to traverse private land to gain access to the Creeks. Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 41 Existing Greenway Resources 6. Urban Canoe Trail and Launches The Buffalo River Urban Canoe Trail is an approximately six mile canoe trail along the Buffalo River that starts in West Seneca at the DEC site along Harlem Road and ends at the DEC site along Ohio Street. In addition to the two DEC canoe launches there is also an informal canoe launch at the Smith Street site. There is an additional access point to the Canoe Trail at the Buffalo Sewer Authority Pump Station near Bailey Avenue, however there is no public parking allowed at this site. A Canoe Trail Guidebook was created along with the designation of the Canoe Trail that describes 48 different historical and environmental features along the Buffalo River (Department of Environmental Conservation). The following lists some of the sites that are located along the Canoe Trail (the numbers used below correspond to the map (Figure 3.3) in this document on page 43 and do not correspond to the site numbers used on the actual CanoeTrail and in the Urban Canoe Trail Guidebook):

1. Riffle Habitat – Fast moving, shallow water with rough bottoms are an ideal habitat for plant and aquatic life including trout and minnows who use the shallow waters for spawning. Due to the high numbers of fish and the shallow waters, there is also a high concentration of fish-eating birds in the area. 2. Floodplain Forest – This type of forest was historically present throughout the floodplain along the Buffalo River. Today there are only a few remaining stands of forest, this being one of the larger ones. There are many diverse plants and animals that occupy the forest including white-tailed deer and red-tailed hawks. 3. Pool Habitats – Deep, slow moving sections of the River where silt, sand and tree logs deposit. Due to the deep water many fish use these pools as resting places. 4. Iroquois Site – An early village site was located nearby in this area along the Canoe Trail, which was a main residence of the Six Nations of Iroquois from 1780-1840 5. Stachowski/Houghton Park 6. Seneca Council House – Now owned by Niagara Mohawk this was once the site of the Seneca Council House where major treaties were negotiated. 7. Bank Beaver Lodge – Several beaver have built lodges in the riverbank to avoid erosion and destruction of their typical stick lodges due to the River current. Lodges are recognizable by a covering of sticks and mud added to the riverbank above the entrances. 8. Bank Swallow Colony – Dozens of swallows build their nesting holes into the riverbank along this section of the River. 9. National Fuel Gas Pipeline Bridge – The truss bridge, built in 1927, is 100 feet high and 170 feet wide and was designed to carry five pipelines. Today the bridge only carries two pipelines. 10. Cazenovia Creek 11. Delaware Lackawanna and Western Bridge (Oxbow Railway Bridge) – This was a lift bridge built around 1913 in anticipation of industrial growth upstream that never developed. The bridge was abandoned in 1980 after Conrail took over the line in 1976 and has since been demolished. 12. Mobil Oil – Originally two separate oil facilities, Buffalo Lubricating Oil and Atlas Refining, were first built on this section of the River in 1880s. Atlas Refining became Standard Oil and the two eventually merged. Parts of this section of the River were filled in the 1920s to create a straight channel within the River.

42 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Existing Greenway Resources 13. Buffalo Color Corporation – The site, originally known as Scoellkopf Aniline and Chemical Co., was the first chemical plant in the U.S. The site has been in operation since 1879. 14. Concrete Central – The largest grain elevator built on the River at one quarter mile long, was constructed between 1915 and 1917 and closed in 1966. 15. Tugboat Area – There are two tugboats that dock in this area, which are used to maneuver Lake Freighters through the winding turns of the River. 16. Pillsbury Standard Elevator – The largest grain elevator still in operation along the River was built in 1928. 17. Ohio Street Bridge – This was the main link between the downtown business district and the grain elevators, steel mills, rail yards and docks when it was constructed in the 1880s. Built in 1962, the vertical lift bridge spans the River.

Figure 3.3

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 43 Existing Greenway Resources 7. Heritage Interpretation Areas Historical and archaeological sites can be buildings and/or locations that have historical or cultural value. The following data for Buffalo has been obtained and analyzed from GIS data as well as the 1996 Greenway Plan. The information for Cheektowaga and West Seneca has been obtained from the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study, which used information provided by representatives of each town, which has since been analyzed and confirmed through GIS data for this Plan.

7.1 HERITAGE TOURISM – INDUSTRIAL & AGRICULTURAL Heritage tourism as defined by The National Trust is “traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.” Heritage tourism includes everything from cultural and historic resources to natural resources, and provides educational and entertaining opportunities not offered in other types of tourism, while improving local economies and protecting and preserving historical sites. Economical studies have consistently shown that travelers seeking cultural and heritage tourism stay longer and spend more money than other kinds of travelers, improving the economic stability and impact on residents and business surrounding cultural and heritage areas. Heritage tourism also creates jobs and business, can increase tax revenue, diversify the local economy, preserve local traditions and culture and can generate local investment in historic resources.

The Project Area of the Buffalo Greenway boosts some of the most interesting heritage sites; from the Erie Canal and the grain elevators to agricultural sites from Lake Erie through West Seneca. This industrial and agricultural heritage influenced and impacted other cities, states and countries. Buffalo and its surrounding towns and villages were shaped by agricultural production and industrial development. The Buffalo River played a key vital part in the transportation of agricultural products from New York State, the Midwest and all over the world, particularly grain and the development of the grain elevators from approximately 1890-1940. Even today there are still pockets of agricultural use along the Buffalo River and its tributaries including growing to storage and manufacturing. The Buffalo River and its tributaries also played vital roles in the development and settlement of the City of Buffalo and the Towns of Cheektowaga and West Seneca. Cayuga Creek played an important role in the development and settlement of Cheektowaga both as a source of water as well as servicing milling operations. The earliest development found within Cheektowaga took place in the Como Park, Bellevue Road area. In addition, this area has a designated site that played an important role in the Underground Railroad. Within West Seneca there are several areas that have significant historical interest and development. These areas include the Ebenezer settlement near Union Road, Clinton Street and Indian Church Road, as well as two structures including the Mayer Brothers Cider Mill on Transit Road and Charles E. Burchfield’s former home on Clinton Street and Weigand Avenue.

44 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Existing Greenway Resources Industrial Heritage Trail For over ten years the Industrial Heritage Committee has been working to develop a complete trail system designed to enhance and promote the City of Buffalo’s industrial history, highlighting the invention and development of the grain elevators, grain production, the Erie Canal and the history of the Buffalo River and Lake Erie Waterfront. The Industrial Heritage Trail would include walking trails and utilize existing streets and existing trails. The proposed trail runs from the Erie Basin Marina, through the Inner Harbor and proposed Greenway Plaza, and splits at Michigan to run along Ohio and Ganson Streets upriver to the foot of Hamburg. It would highlight historical sites and their significance with signage explaining industrial heritage, while at the same time providing vantage points to watch the Great Lake ships and tug boats on the Buffalo River.

7.2 NATIVE AMERICAN SITES Within the City of Buffalo Project Area there are several sites specifically on the eastern end of the River that have Native American significance. Two sites include the Seneca Council House site near the corner of Archer and Littel on Niagara Mohawk property and the Seneca Indian Park on Buffum Street. The Buffum Street site is part of an area that used to be the Buffalo Creek Reservation (1780s – 1840) and commemorates the Seneca burial ground where the Seneca leader Red Jacket was buried (Greenway Plan 1996).

Within West Seneca, the West Seneca West Senior High School site on Seneca Street is the original site of the Onondaga Village of Chief Big Sky (Comprehensive Plan 1999).

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 45 46 IV. PROPOSED NEW GREENWAY ELEMENTS

1. Introduction pg. 49 1.1 CONSERVATION AREAS AND PUBLIC ACCESS pg. 49 1.2 CONNECTOR STREETS AND PAPER STREETS pg. 51 1.3 VEHICULAR ACCESS pg. 53 1.4 INTERPRETATION AND SIGNAGE pg. 54 1.5 PHYTOREMEDIATION pg. 55

2. Buffalo River Trail Segments pg. 56 2.1 BUFFALO RIVER GREENWAY TRAIL pg. 56 Outer Harbor Greenbelt Outer Harbor Waterfront Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Industrial Heritage Trail Ohio Street Pedestrian-Bicycle Trail 2.2 BUFFALO RIVER URBAN CANOE TRAIL pg. 57 2.2.1 Development and Proposed Sites

3. Site Specific Opportunities pg. 58 Buffalo River Sub-District 3.1 Michigan Street Bridge to Outer Harbor pg. 58 3.2 Ohio/Michigan Canoe Launch and Park pg. 61 3.3 Ohio Street Canoe Launch pg. 67 3.4 Grain Elevator District pg. 71 3.5 Foot of Hamburg Street pg. 72 3.6 Katherine Street pg. 72 3.7 Katherine and Smith Street Trail Connections pg. 73 3.8 Smith Street pg. 74 3.9 PVS Chemical – Mobil Oil pg. 77 3.10 Mongovan Park pg. 77 3.11 Stachowski Park pg. 81 3.12 Cargill Connection to Tifft Nature Preserve and pg. 82 Concrete Central 3.13 Concrete Central Peninsula pg. 83 3.14 Steelfields and Former Republic Hydroponics pg. 83 Tomato Plant 3.15 Southside School pg. 84 3.16 South Ogden Estates pg. 87 Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District 3.17 Special Focus Areas pg. 88 3.18 Cayuga Creek pg. 90 3.19 Buffalo Creek pg. 92 3.20 Cazenovia Creek pg. 92

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 47 Proposed New Greenway Elements

FIGURES Figure 4.1 – Conservation Areas and Public Access pg. 50 Figure 4.2 – Paper Streets pg. 53 Figure 4.3 – Site Specific Opportunities pg. 59 Figure 4.4 – Ohio/Michigan Canoe Launch and Park pg. 63 Figure 4.5 – Ohio/Michigan Canoe Launch and Park pg. 65 Figure 4.6 – Ohio Street Site Connections (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 67 Figure 4.7 – Ohio Street Site Connections (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 67 Figure 4.8 – Ohio Street Site Connections (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 67 Figure 4.9 – Old First Ward Link Site Concept (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 69 Figure 4.10 – St. Claire Street Walking Trail pg. 71 Figure 4.11 – Smith Street Entrance with Railroad Berm (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 73 Figure 4.12 – Proposed Smith Street Access (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 74 Figure 4.13 – Existing Smith Street Site pg. 74 Figure 4.14 – Smith Street Access Site Concept (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 75 Figure 4.15 – Parcels to be Developed as Mongovan Park (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 77 Figure 4.16 – Mongovan Park Site Concept (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 79 Figure 4.17 – Cargill Connection to Tifft Nature Preserve and Concrete Central pg. 82 Figure 4.18 – Southside School pg. 84 Figure 4.19 – Republic Steel Site Concept (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 85 Figure 4.20 – South Ogden Estates pg. 87 Figure 4.21 – Cayuga Creek and Buffalo Special Focus Areas pg. 89 Figure 4.22 – Cazenovia Creek Special Focus Areas pg. 89 Figure 4.23 – Rails-to-Trails pg. 91 Figure 4.24 – Cazenovia Creek and Legion Drive Greenways (Greenway Plan 1996) pg. 93

48 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements 1. Introduction The focus of this Buffalo Greenway Vision and Implementation Plan is to show how future projects can be incorporated with existing elements and projects to create a unified Greenway that not only benefits the users of the Greenway and enhances and beautifies the Buffalo River watershed for the local community. An integrated, well planed Greenway Trail brings life, activity and money into the surrounding communities.

While it is important to improve the economic vitality of River communities including the City of Buffalo, West Seneca and Cheektowaga, it is also necessary to protect residents and park and trail users from known and potential contaminants in and around the River. Economic vitality and public safety can be accomplished simultaneously through proper design, appropriate site designations, and the restoration and clean-up of sites based on specific site analysis. Following the design guidelines in Section V Implementation (pages 181-188), will also assist in Greenway Implementation.

The following Project Opportunities are related to the projects discussed in Section II Greenway Planning History (Pages 15-28). These Project Opportunities fill in the missing links and make connections between existing parks, communities and conservation areas. Each site opportunity was chosen after a thorough site analysis (including property ownership, property condition, surrounding and adjacent elements) and existing greenway resources discussed on pages 29-46. Each project opportunity reflects the goals of the Buffalo River Greenway while focusing on three main goals:

Public access and recreation Clean water Improve fish and wildlife habitats – through open space and Conservation Areas

These goals should be adhered to throughout the design, development and implementation of the following proposed projects and any future projects.

The following information is a brief overview of the proposed Greenway elements. This section highlights some of the selection and prioritization of the sites. It also summarizes some of the elements that should be considered when developing the sites that will improve the health and safety of each site, including ease in Greenway Trail use, navigation and orientation, enhancement of surrounding neighborhoods and improved pedestrian and vehicular access to the sites.

1.1 CONSERVATION AREAS AND PUBLIC ACCESS The following includes a summary of proposed Conservation Areas and public Recreation Areas as listed in the 1996 Plan as well as special focus areas listed in the 1999 Town of West Seneca Municipal Open Space & Greenway Protection. These areas have been previously identified for various reasons and benefits, based on analysis by the Buffalo River Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Project (F&W HRP), the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the US Army Corp of Engineers (COE), the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®, the city of Buffalo’s Waterfront Greenway System (WGS), or the former Horizons Waterfront Committee, Inc. (HOR). Additional collaborators for these sites include US Fish & Wildlife Service, Buffalo River Remedial Advisory Committee, State University of New York at Buffalo – Great Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 49 Proposed New Greenway Elements Lakes Program, Sate University College at Buffalo – Great Lakes Center, Valley Community Center and First Ward Community Center. The 2002 Paper Streets Report, the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study and 2004 Town of West Seneca Comprehensive Plan were also all used in the development of site specific projects and opportunities for public access, recreational opportunities and conservation areas. Many of the following sites are described in greater detail in Section III – Site Specific Opportunities (pages 58-94).

Proposed Conservation Areas: (Figure 4.1) 1. Foot of Katherine Street (F&W HRP), Buffalo 2. Seneca Street Island Wetland (BNR), Buffalo

Figure 4.1

50 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements Priority Parcels for Public Acquisition through Purchase or Conservation Easement: (fFgure 4.1) 3. Wetlands adjacent to Tifft Nature Preserve and Tifft Street (DEC), Buffalo 4. Concrete Central Peninsula (COE, BNR), Buffalo 5. 100 or 200-foot Conservation Easement set back along Steelfields property 6. Foot of Juniata Place – adjacent to City-owned wetland (BNR), Buffalo 7. South bank parcel west of Ogden Street 100-foot Conservation Easement along River (BNR), Buffalo

Proposed Public Access – Recreation Areas: (Figure 4.1) Buffalo River Sub-District A. Ohio Street Pedestrian-Bicycle Trail, Buffalo B. Concrete Central Peninsula, Buffalo C. “Mongovan Park” (Seneca-Babcock Link) (BNR), Buffalo D. Legion Drive Greenway, Buffalo

Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District Trails are proposed for development throughout Cheektowaga through an ongoing Rails-to-Trails initiative throughout the Town. West Seneca has also proposed trails as a result of a Town wide Rails-to-Trails campaign within West Seneca; focusing on the development of several abandoned rail corridors for public access.

Erie County has granted $1.08 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding as well as an additional $270,000 in County funds for the proposed Seneca Creek Pathway, a bicycle and pedestrian trail within West Seneca and Cheektowaga.

Buffalo Creek Sub-Area, West Seneca Public access and boat launch off Mineral Springs Road

1.2 CONNECTOR STREETS AND PAPER STREETS Any residential street that terminates at the Buffalo River, Cazenovia, Cayuga and Buffalo Creeks, should be considered an extension of the Greenway and should be treated as so with improved vegetation and street tree plantings. Sidewalks should be improved or added where there are none to provide safe access and handicap accessibility to the Greenway Trail. Benches, planters and other markers need to reflect the character of the Greenway Trail. These should be different than typical benches used in and around the City, Cheektowaga and West Seneca, so that the streets become identifiable as access points to the Greenway. Streets that connect riverside parks should also be treated with specific plantings and benches to help improve the visual connection between the parks. Designated bicycle lanes and new and improved sidewalks also need to be provided between riverside and neighborhood parks within the project area.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 51 Proposed New Greenway Elements The following public access points to the River are defined as a result of a “Paper Street Study” conducted by the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® in 2001. The study (included as Appendix D, pages 213 - 219) identifies 25 potential public access points to the River. A “paper” street, for purpose of the study, was defined as any street that was never built yet appears on official maps, a street no longer used for travel, or a street with incomplete construction such as curbs, storm drainage, sidewalks, etc. Of the 25 identified streets (Figure 4.2, page 53) only one did not lead to the River but terminated at the River’s banks, while 22 of the streets are located directly adjacent to public open space land owned either by the City of Buffalo or the DEC. In these 22 cases it is recommended that the land be permanently protected as open space through designation of the street and land as a park, or through deed restriction, and incorporating the land and access points into the Buffalo River Greenway. These access points create and establish “green fingers” that lead people to and from the Greenway Trail. This provides green streetscapes and visual access points to the trail as well as off the trail and into surrounding neighborhoods, businesses, schools and community centers. The paper street access points include:

South Street Dunbar Street Leamington Place* Fenton Street

Katherine Street Jordan Place* Avondale Place* Holly Street

Ensign Street Bank Place* Juniata Street Willett Street

Smith Street Mayback Place* Weimar Street Seward Street Bailey Avenue - Cutter Place* Cable Street S. Pierce Street North Bailey Avenue - Avon Place* Barnard Street S. Pontiac Street South Pomeroy Street

* In February 2004, seven of these paper streets were protected through a conveyance to the County of Erie associated with the Seneca Bluffs Habitat Restoration Project.

52 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements

Figure 4.2

1.3 VEHICULAR ACCESS Improved vehicular access to the Outer Harbor and Buffalo River is also proposed through the “Southtowns Connector Project”. This project would primarily provide easier access to the Outer Harbor through the re-engineering of Route 5 and Fuhrmann Boulevard. The estimated cost of the project is $145 million. Along with the Southtowns Connector is the proposal to build an east-west connecting road from Interstate 190 to Tifft Street and make improvements to Ohio Street.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 53 Proposed New Greenway Elements 1.4 INTERPRETATION AND SIGNAGE As the Buffalo River Greenway Trail winds through Buffalo, Cheektowaga and West Seneca, it passes some of the most important and key features within Western New York. Some of these elements include industrial history and the grain elevators, agricultural sites, important bird habitat areas, cultural sites, and Native American sites. Therefore, it is important that the Buffalo River Greenway Trail embrace this natural and cultural history through the use and incorporation of interpretive materials such as signs and markers explaining historical sites and processes of wildlife and natural habitats, and physical interpretive elements. The Trail should also include detailed maps at trail heads as well as smaller maps along the Trail to help orient Trail users and identify key locations and connections with other Trails such as the proposed Industrial Heritage Trail. A self-guided pamphlet should also be developed, which would include a map of the Greenway Trail identifying trail heads, distance markers for sections of the trail, and a summary of trail highlights including cultural and natural history. These pamphlets should be made available at local community centers along the Greenway, public libraries, parks and recreation departments as well as other local sites such as businesses, restaurants and retail shops. These materials and signage can be achieved through pursuing of small grants and collaboration with local non-profits and other agencies.

These maps and directional signage need to be designed and incorporated to include an overall unifying theme. The name and/or logo of the Greenway Trail needs to be incorporated onto all maps and signs related to the Greenway Trail. This helps to direct, guide and orient people to and along the Trail. Signs and maps should identify adjacent riverside parks as well as parks in surrounding neighborhoods. The signs and maps should also identify and direct people to local Community Centers and other public amenities and business districts adjacent to the Trail. Streets that abut the Trail which lead to surrounding commercial areas and neighborhoods should also be identified and clearly marked to help orient people to and from the Trail. These elements identified, signed and marked on the maps helps to provide Trail users ease in trail use and allows them to feel comfortable and safe with the fact that they can not only identify where the Trail, parks and access points are but can always identify where they are on the Trail in regards to surrounding streets and neighborhoods. Overall Greenway Trail maps should be included at the start of every trailhead (public access points such as existing trail spurs and Paper Street access points), within all adjacent Riverside parks and at adjacent Community Centers. The map should clearly identify the main trail, any trail spurs and side paths, access points and streets, and parking lots for trail users. The maps should also identify the type of trail (on-road, off-road paved bicycle and pedestrian, or off-road unpaved/hiking trail), identify fishing and birding sites, and highlight places of special interest such as Native American sites and cultural, industrial and agricultural heritage sites, viewpoints and recreation areas.

One area in particular to highlight Native American sites is along the Buffalo River in the Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor. Work and designs should be coordinated with native groups such as Neto Hatinakwe Ongweoweh in the development of appropriate features and signs to mark these sites and tell their history with and about each site.

54 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements 1.5 PHYTOREMEDIATION Many areas along the Buffalo River, Cazenovia Creek, Cayuga Creek and Buffalo Creek are zoned and used for industrial purposes. Several of these sites are listed on the Toxic Release Inventory and are known brownfields with polluted and contaminated soil and groundwater. Several of these brownfields now sit vacant and provide great potential for development, park space designation, designation as a Conservation Area, as well as development and placement of the Greenway Trail through the area. However, the contaminants within the soil pose a risk for potential users who could have direct contact with the contaminated ground and soil. This poses a risk to the public and increases the likelihood of capping an area and developing it for future commercial and industrial use instead of park space, Conservation Areas and the Greenway Trail. There are other alternatives to capping the sites or the costly efforts of contaminated soil removal and filling with clean fill and soil. Phytoremediation is the use of plants to draw contaminants out of the soil. Plants such as alfalfa, hybrid poplar trees, and arrowroot take in metals and organic compounds within the soil through their roots (Florio 2004). Prior to, or even after, development phytoremediation can be used to help clean the soil, provide habitat benefits, soil stabilization and erosion control and will help prevent contaminated soil from entering into the waterways. (For more information on Phytoremediation see Appendix C, page 213)

Potential Sites Suitable for Phytoremediation Tifft Nature Preserve: Phytoremediation and other bioremediation techniques for removing pollutants; promoting Tifft Nature Preserve as a Case Study for on going restoration efforts and becoming a center piece highlighting any additional brownfield cleanups throughout Buffalo (Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area) Foot of Katherine Street where industrial uses dominate the area (Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area) Concrete Central Peninsula (Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area) Buffalo River Waterfront Park at the foot of Smith Street (Valley/Steelfields Sub- Area) Buffalo Color Corporation hazardous remediation site on “Red Jacket Peninsula” to supplement remediation efforts begun in 1996 (Valley/Steelfields Sub-Area) Old Republic Steel site prior to any new redevelopment (Valley/Steelfields Sub- Area) Along the shoreline at PVS Chemicals and Mobil Oil to help mitigate and clean the site and reduce any ground water contamination prior to entering the River (Seneca Babcock Sub-Area) BFI Land Reclamation is a contaminated/hazardous waste site identified by NYS DEC (Cayuga Creek Sub-Area) West Seneca Transfer Station is a contaminated/hazardous waste site identified by NYS DEC (Buffalo Creek Sub-Area)

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 55 Proposed New Greenway Elements 2. Buffalo River Trail Segments There are two types of Trail systems that are part of the Buffalo River Greenway. The first Trail system is the Greenway Trail, which is an onshore pedestrian hiking/bicycling, multi-use trail system that follows the Buffalo River, Cayuga Creek, Buffalo Creek and Cazenovia Creek. The other Trail system is the Buffalo River Urban Canoe Trail, also known as a Blueway Trail, which follows the Buffalo River from West Seneca through Buffalo. The following information discusses trail development and enhancement for each trail type.

2.1 BUFFALO RIVER GREENWAY TRAIL The Greenway Trail is an onshore pedestrian hiking/bicycling, multi-use trail system that follows the Buffalo River, Cayuga Creek, Buffalo Creek and Cazenovia Creek. The following describes the Buffalo River Greenway Trail as well as additional Trail segments that link to with the Greenway Trail.

The Buffalo River Greenway Trail as currently designed is 64.57 miles long and is broken up into the following segments:

13.36 miles through Buffalo along the Buffalo River 16.16 miles in Cheektowaga along Cayuga Creek 17.81 miles in West Seneca along Buffalo Creek 17.24 miles in West Seneca along Cazenovia Creek

The Greenway Trail will provide and create pedestrian access as well as habitat areas along the Buffalo River, where no access was provided before. The Greenway Trail is designed to connect with the Outer Harbor Green Belt, the Outer Harbor Waterfront Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail, the proposed Industrial Heritage Trail and the Ohio Street Pedestrian-Bicycle Trail. Below is detailed information about the above trail connections to the Buffalo River Greenway Trail. For specific details, site placement, costs and land concerns for the Buffalo River Greenway Trail see Section V Implementation – Trail Placement. (Pages 112-180)

Outer Harbor Greenbelt The Outer Harbor Greenbelt project area consists of the entire western edge of the 120- acre NFTA property known as the Outer Harbor. The project, partially funded by the DEC, is a brownfield remediation project, since the entire 120-acre site is comprised of dredge and fill. The Outer Harbor Greenbelt will create a public access corridor along the shoreline. The Project will include shoreline protection and stabilization through improved planting and in rip rap areas, increased wildlife habitat, aquatic habitats and vegetation areas, as well as connections with the Outer Harbor Waterfront Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail, and proposed Shoreline Trail. The Greenbelt will include much needed and desired waterfront access and green-space. Construction is expected to begin in February 2006 with completion in June 2007 (City of Buffalo).

56 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements Outer Harbor Waterfront Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail The Outer Harbor Waterfront Trail is a 12-foot wide asphalt and concrete bicycle and pedestrian path that runs adjacent to Fuhrmann Boulevard, through the NFTA Small Boat Harbor, and at the Light Rail Rapid Transit yard and shop area. This segment is an important part of the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) Shoreline Trail project. The Trail is designed to link downtown with the Outer Harbor and eventually Lackawanna through further development of the Shoreline Trail. The Shoreline Trail is a proposed trail that would run from Old Fort Niagara in the town of Porter to the Town of Brant and eventually to the Pennsylvania State Line. This segment is an important part of the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) Shoreline Trail project.

Industrial Heritage Trail The Industrial Heritage Trail (see page 45 for more information) would include walking trails and utilize existing streets and existing trails. The proposed trail runs from the Erie Basin Marina, through the Inner Harbor and proposed Greenway Plaza, and splits at Michigan to run along Ohio and Ganson Streets upriver to the foot of Hamburg. It would highlight historical sites and their significance with signage explaining industrial heritage, while at the same time providing vantage points to watch the Great Lake ships and tug boats on the Buffalo River.

Ohio Street Pedestrian-Bicycle Trail The Ohio Street Trail is the second phase of the already developed and constructed Outer Harbor Pedestrian-Bicycle Waterfront Trail. The off-road trail would connect DL&W gazebo and plaza with the Small Boat Harbor, Gallagher Beach State Park and Outer Harbor Waterfront Trail. The Trail is in final design and is expected to begin construction in April 2006 with completion in November 2006 with an estimated cost of $1.2 million. The project will be managed by the City of Buffalo Public Works (City of Buffalo 2005).

2.2 BUFFALO RIVER URBAN CANOE TRAIL The Buffalo River Urban Canoe Trail, also known as a Blueway Trail, is a canoe trail that follows the Buffalo River from West Seneca through Buffalo. The following describes the existing sites of the Canoe Trail, future development and additional proposed sites.

2.2.1 – Development and Proposed Sites The urban Canoe Trail, as discussed on pages 42-43 in Section III Existing Greenway Resources, is a six mile trail along the Buffalo River that is in need of overall improvements and enhancements. The existing signage is in poor condition and many are missing which makes navigating the Trail difficult. The existing Canoe Guidebook is outdated in terms of site information and is a pamphlet format which is difficult to use and follow while on the Trail. There are proposals for updating the Guide and replacing, improving and adding additional signage. In addition the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning is proposing adding an additional canoe access point at the Seneca Bluffs Habitat Restoration Site. This site would provide additional park amenities such as fishing access, bird watching and a trail system that the other access sites are not able to offer. Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 57 Proposed New Greenway Elements 3. Site Specific Opportunities The following describes the proposed Conservation Areas and Public Access/Recreation Areas from the 1996 Greenway Plan and 1997 Corridor Restoration Study, details the proposed parks listed on pages 49-51, as well as the Special Focus Areas established in the 1999 Municipal Open Space & Greenway Protection. Each proposed site is detailed here with further opportunities and design possibilities. The Opportunities are organized based on Sub-Districts and Sub-Areas for clarification in location and relevance to each other.

Buffalo River Sub-District Information for the Buffalo River Sub-District is discussed in order from west to east along the north Bank of the River and from west to east along the south bank of the River (Figure 4.3, page 59).

North Bank The following Projects are located along the northern bank of the Buffalo River

Michigan Street Bridge to Outer Harbor Ohio/Michigan Canoe Launch and Park Ohio Street Canoe Launch Grain Elevator District Foot of Hamburg Street Katherine Street Katherine Street and Smith Street Trail Connections Smith Street PVS Chemical – Mobil Oil Mongovan Park Stachowski Park

3.1 Michigan Street Bridge to Outer Harbor – Inner/Outer Harbor Sub-District and Old First Ward/ Tifft Sub-Area, Buffalo In order to provide better access between downtown, the inner and outer harbor the Western Michigan Street Bridge needs to be constructed. This would provide access across the Buffalo River, Kelley Island and the City Ship Canal to Fuhrmann Boulevard and the Outer Harbor. Construction of the bridge across the City Ship Canal would provide greater access for both vehicles and pedestrians connecting the Buffalo River Greenway Trail with the Outer Harbor Waterfront Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail.

58 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan

Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.2 Ohio/Michigan Canoe Launch and Park – Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area, Buffalo The Buffalo River Greenway Trail would start from the existing Michigan Street Lift Bridge, where the trail would connect with and be part of the proposed Industrial Heritage Trail and the Inner Harbor to the West. The Greenway Trail would continue southeast along Ohio Street where it separates from the Industrial Heritage Trail to run along the River as part of a Rails-to- Trails project. The Trail will follow, from the second parcel adjacent to the Michigan Street Lift Bridge (which is currently being developed as a park) along a historic wooden railway. Only the piers and partial sections remain there and would need to be reconstructed. The newly constructed “riverwalk” would run along the River the length of the new park down to the Ohio Street DEC site. The proposed 3-acre park is to be developed by the Valley Community Association and would provide a large recreational area and river access to the residents of the Old First Ward and Valley. The park will have an open space for large group gatherings, walkways that link up with the Rails-to-Trails boardwalk Trail, improved vegetation, a canoe launch, and an informal amphitheater space for performances (Figure 4.4, page 63 and Figure 4.5, page 65). The Valley Community Association will be relocating the Buffalo Image of Park site from intersection of Ohio Street Riverfest from Father Conway Park to this and Miami Street new park.

Remnants of the wooden railway along shore of Image of the Park site where the canoe launch would park that would be reconstructed as a “riverwalk” be comstructed

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 61 62

Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.3 Ohio Street Canoe Launch – Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area, Buffalo The DEC canoe launch at Ohio Street provides access to the River and is the downstream terminus of the Urban Canoe Trail. However, there is no clear connecting route for the residents of Old First Ward to the River and the DEC site. A clear connection needs to be made from surrounding neighborhoods and the Old First Ward Community Center so that residents have an opportunity to use the River as a recreational resource. Schematic designs for connections to the DEC canoe site as well as Father Conway Park and adjacent parcels along Ohio Street, from the 1996 Greenway Plan, are shown below in sections (Figures 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8) derived from the plan (Figure 4.9 on page 69). For additional site analysis and recommendations refer to the 1996 Greenway Plan. See Section V Implementation – Trail Placement for Greenway Trail placement (Pages 112-180).

Figure 4.6

Figure 4.7

Figure 4.8

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 67 68

Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.4 Grain Elevator District – Old First Ward/Tifft and Valley/Steelfields Sub-Areas In order to provide the proposed Industrial Heritage Trail visual and physical access to the River and its architecture, any new development needs to abide by either the 25-foot setback west of Ohio Street or the 100-foot setback east of Ohio Street, as well as other design recommendations including floor area ratios and open space requirements, as discussed in Section V Implementation. Wherever possible, physical access needs to be provided to the River so that Trail users can witness the relationship of the water and the grain elevators up close. There is a proposed trail that would follow through the Grain Elevator District on both the north and south side of the River.

St. Claire Street Walking Trail This section of the proposed Greenway Trail also corresponds with the Industrial Heritage Trail. The St. Claire walking trail (Figure 4.10) connects the Ohio DEC canoe launch and Father Conway Park with the foot of Hamburg Street. The trail passes by the Pillsbury Standard Elevator and provides improved trail connections between streets and park spaces for Valley Community residents. See Section V Implementation – Trail Placement for Greenway Trail Figure 4.10 placement. (Pages 112-180)

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 71 Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.5 Foot of Hamburg Street – Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area The Buffalo River Greenway Trail within this area provides a much needed greenway link between the Old First Ward and Valley neighborhoods. The Greenway Trail continues from Ohio Street onto St Clair Street at the intersection of Ohio Street, Louisiana Street and St. Clair Street where it meets up with South Street and Hamburg Street. The Greenway Trail follows the same path as the proposed Industrial Heritage Trail which terminates at this point. The Greenway Trail leads east to the Smith Street park/habitat restoration area within the Valley/ Steelfields Sub-Area (discussed on pages 72-74). The foot of Hamburg Street also provides opportunities for an additional canoe launch for the Urban Canoe Trail. The Trail, as indicated in the 1996 Plan, crosses the base of the Katherine Street Peninsula site and goes either under or over the Conrail Rail lines, depending on feasibility (Greenway Plan 1996). See Section V Implementation – Trail Placement for Greenway Trail placement. (Pages 112-180)

3.6 Katherine Street – Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area Conservation Area The City-owned 4.8-acre Habitat Restoration Project proposed at the foot of Katherine Street Peninsula should be enhanced and restored as a Conservation Area. A 200’ setback along the River from any intensive use and development would help to protect and enhance vegetation and wildlife habitat including the known heron rookery at the southeastern foot of the Peninsula. There are plans to partially develop the City owned parcel for recreational uses including fishing access, a canoe landing and picnic areas.

Trail Connections The Greenway Trail splits into two different Trail paths on the Peninsula. There is an on-road bike/hike trail that follows from Hamburg Street up to O’Connell Avenue where the Trail then turns south to follow along Katherine Street. The other Trail type is an off-road bike/hike path that follows the River where it links up with Katherine Street and the on-road bike/hike trail and the City owned parcel mentioned above. See Section V Implementation – Trail Placement for Greenway Trail placement. (Pages 112-180)

72 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.7 Katherine Street and Smith Street Trail Connections – Old First Ward/Tifft and Valley/ Steelfields Sub-Areas There are two different sections of the Greenway that can be taken from Katherine Street Peninsula to the foot of Smith Street and the waterfront park. Both trails follow Katherine Street north, one trail is an on-road bike/hike trail that follows South Park Avenue southeast from Katherine Street until you reach Smith Street. The other trail is an off-road bike/hike trail that leaves Katherine Street at O’Connell Avenue. This trail crosses one set of railroad tracks adjacent to the Katherine Street where it turns south at a second set of tracks. The Trail continues down to the River where you pass underneath the railroad bridge and enter into the Smith Street park. Smith Street also provides opportunities for access to Red Jacket Peninsula. Habitat restoration efforts conducted by Buffalo Color Corporation (see Section II Greenway Planning History on page 24) and the nature trail and park space constructed by Erie County are accessible from this point of the Greenway. Property ownership and rights will have to be obtained to gain access for the Greenway Trail at some sections between Smith Street and Red Jacket Peninsula. See the Section V Implementation – Trail Placement for Greenway Trail placement. (Pages 112-180)

There is an abandoned railroad berm that runs through the Smith Street park. Using abandoned rail lines as trails is a common practice throughout the United States and is highlighted and encouraged by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. This section of railroad berm should be preserved and enhanced; a pedestrian bridge is needed to cross Smith Street (Figure 4.11), as a pedestrian way as it is one of the few areas that provides an overview of the River. The railroad bridge to the east of the Smith Street park is also abandoned. This bridge should be restored and modified to allow for safe pedestrian access across the River to Concrete Central Peninsula and the proposed pedestrian access along the Steelfields site. (See 3.13 and 3.14 on pages 83-85 for more information). Not only would the restored bridge provide access for Trail users, and Valley residents, to proposed nature Trails on Concrete Central Peninsula but would also provide unique views of the River that many people have never seen. (Greenway Plan 1996)

Figure 4.11

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 73 Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.8 Smith Street –Valley/Steelfields Sub-Areas There are several parcels of land that surround the Smith Street Park. These lands are currently owned by the NFTA. These lands should be aquired from the NFTA as they offer some very unique features and connections for the Valley Community to the River as well as connection from Smith Street to the local community center and nearby Redmond Playground along South Park Avenue. Some of the unique features on the site that should be preserved and enhanced include a pond on the NFTA grounds and a former raised railroad line known as a dell which offers trail opportunities, views of the River and a known stopping ground for birds along the River. The 1996 Greenway Plan developed a plan for streetscape enhancements along Smith Street. While the design and access to the Smith Street Park has been developed and constructed slightly different from the original concepts, parking and traffic circle have been expanded (Figures 4.12 and 4.13), there is still a lack of streetscape along Smith Street that helps to identify the entrance to the site. The design, Figure 4.14 on page 75, from the 1996 Greenway Plan helps to enhance the visual appeal of the entrance to the site from the surrounding neighborhood.

Figure 4.12

Figure 4.13 Existing site layout

74 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan

Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.9 PVS Chemical – Mobil Oil – Valley/Steelfields Sub-Area PVS Chemical and Mobil Oil are two large industries that are located along the Buffalo River’s north bank opposite the Greenway Trail on the south bank of the River between the Former Republic Tomato Plant Site and the newly created Old Bailey Woods Park. While this site is not a pedestrian, Trail use oriented site, there are opportunities for enhancing the site. Exxon Mobil has recently signed an agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on a voluntary Brownfield Cleanup Program.

3.10 Mongovan Park – Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Creek Corridor Sub-Area Two vacant lots on Elk Street proposed for acquisition and expansion of the proposed Mongovan Park, on the east side of Bailey Avenue have been purchased by private interests. However, Mongovan Park could still be implemented on nearby City-owned property along Bailey Avenue (Figure 4.15). The 1996 Greenway Plan developed two park designs, one incorporating the two private parcels and one only incorporating the Sewer Authority and City- owned parcels. Local groups are hoping to work with the new land owners to help preserve the 100 foot setback and to provide public riverfront access and Trail placement along the two Elk Street lots as well as an adjacent restaurant. Seneca Street should be planted and treated as a major connector and link between the Seneca-Babcock Communities with the River and Greenway Trail. Mongovan Park would provide North Riverbank access for residents of the Seneca-Babcock neighborhood. The proposed Mongovan Park will provide fishing docks and access for canoe launching in addition to parking, picnic shelters and playground, see Figure 4.16 on page 79.

Figure 4.15 Parcels to be developed as Mongovan Park

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 77 78

Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.11 Stachowski Park – Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Creek Corridor Sub-Area Stachowski Park, formerly Houghton Park, is up-stream from the confluence of the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek. Existing trails and any new or proposed trails within Stachowski Park should link to the Buffalo River Greenway Trail. Parking for the park and Greenway Trail users should be provided as well as signage and a map showing the Greenway Trail system. Stachowski Park should also be expanded up to the River by incorporating City-owned land on the south side of the railroad tracks. A canoe launch has been proposed for this expansion of the Park. There are also several parcels of land owned by the City between the Park and the City line. These parcels should be developed to include the Greenway Trail. A 100-foot easement would also need to be acquired on four private parcels within this section of Riverfront to allow for the Greenway Trail. The Greenway Trail would be designed to follow from the Park along this expansion to connect up with the trails within West Seneca. These parcels along the River are wide enough to accommodate a vegetated buffer along the River and the Greenway Trail.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 81 Proposed New Greenway Elements South Bank The following Projects are located along the southern bank of the Buffalo River Cargill Connection to Tifft Nature Preserve and ConcreteCentral Concrete Central Peninsula Steelfields and Former Republic Hydroponics Tomato Plant Southside School South Ogden Estates

3.12 Cargill Connection to Tifft Nature Preserve and Concrete Central – Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area The Concrete Central Peninsula has limited vehicular access, thereby limiting any development potential of the Peninsula (see Section 3.13 on page 83 for more information). As a result the peninsula is rich with vegetation and wildlife compared to some of the surrounding areas along the River. The peninsula also has very limited and unsafe pedestrian access. Connections directly from Tifft Nature Preserve to Concrete Central and Cargill are hazardous due to a high density of railroad tracks that include several active lines that would have to be crossed to gain access. The easiest route to gain access to Cargill and Concrete Central are along the South banks of the River from an existing drive into property owned by Advance Metals Recycling, which then connects to Ohio Street on Kelley Island. It is proposed that an additional trail head to the Greenway Trail be added from Ohio Street to the drive, just past Rigidized Metals, immediately before the bridge along Ohio Street, where it would then become an off- road bike/hike trail that follows the drive to the Cargill grain elevator. The off-road bike/hike trail past Cargill would continue along the River up to Concrete Central Peninsula where additional nature hiking trails are proposed, Figure 4.17.

Figure 4.17

82 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements Rezoning Tifft and Surrounding Buffering Habitats as Conservation Areas Wildlife and habitat connections from Tifft Nature Preserve, Cargill and Concrete Central Peninsula can complement proposed trailways. This can be accomplished through existing proposals to protect Tifft’s buffering wetlands as well as the Concrete Central Peninsula through public acquisition or easement (Greenway Plan 1996). These areas should be rezoned as Conservation Areas which will protect them from unsustainable development. Acquiring this land and rezoning it as Conservation Area is even more important and encouraged since Tifft Nature Preserve was designated as an Important Bird Area in New York State by National Audubon Society in 1998.

3.13 Concrete Central Peninsula – Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area Concrete Central Peninsula serves two unique functions – one as a key piece of the Industrial Heritage Trail, the other as a key resource for habitat and vegetation. These two key features help to support and encourage the transformation of the Peninsula into an Industrial and Natural Heritage park. The Concrete Central grain elevator already serves as the centerpiece in the Industrial Heritage boat tour that takes place several times a year on the Buffalo River. Concrete Central is one of the most visually impressive remnants of Buffalo’s industrial architecture. The grain elevator should be preserved within its natural setting, and if and when access to the peninsula becomes possible the structure should be secured and restored to allow access in and walks through the grain elevator. (Greenway Plan 1996) As a result of the peninsula’s isolation and difficult access to the area, the habitat and wildlife surrounding the grain elevator suffers from little disturbance and provides a unique large mass of critical wildlife habitat and River access adjacent to Tifft Nature Preserve. This piece of land, to ensure and protect its wildlife benefits and habitat is a high priority for public acquisition.

3.14 Steelfields and Former Republic Hydroponics Tomato Plant – Valley/Steelfields Sub-Area As the DEC is nearing completion of the remediation project at the Former Republic Steel site, public ownership should be retained along the banks of the Buffalo River as the site is being promoted for planned commercial redevelopment. The remediation efforts undertaken at the 213-acre site include, which to date have been the most expensive and largest cleanup project ever done under the New York State Voluntary Cleanup Program, include:

removing about 20,000 cubic yards of contaminated tar/soils for off-site disposal consolidating and properly covering (cap) an estimated 40,000 to 75,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils on the site removing an estimated 80,000 cubic yards of coke for recycling and/or reuse removing about 1,000 feet of underground piping build erosion controls along the bank of the Buffalo River install a groundwater collection and treatment system implement a long-term groundwater monitoring plan (NYS DEC)

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 83 Proposed New Greenway Elements A minimum 100-foot, preferred 200-foot setback would need to be secured through a Conservation Easement to ensure public access and the protection of habitat on the site and shoreline into perpetuity. A conservation easement would protect shoreline remediation as erosion problems are common in the area. It also allows the Buffalo River Greenway Trail to be designed and sited accordingly to complement the potential future commercial development on the site (Figure 4.19). The Souhtowns Connector is designed to be constructed directly to the west of the Steelfields site along Abby Street and cross the River at the former Oxbow Railroad Bridge.

The Greenway Trail in this section connects the former Republic Hydroponics Tomato Plant site with Old Bailey Woods. The trail is an on-road bike/hike trail until it reaches the Tomato Plant site, just past the South Park Avenue lift bridge. Here the trail becomes an off-road bike/ hike trail as you leave South Park and follow the River until you reach the Payson Street access and Iron Mountain Records. This is an important trail piece as it provides access to the newly created Old Bailey Woods Park.

3.15 Southside School – Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor Sub-Area The proximity of Southside Elementary School to the 4.2-acre City-owned site at the confluence of the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek (known as “Bailey Avenue Peninsula” or Confluence Park) offers great opportunities for outdoor learning classrooms. This outdoor classroom will educate children about habitat protection and restoration, clean water, flora, fauna and the relationship that people and wildlife have to the River. Through this outdoor classroom the school grounds can be designed and enhanced to increase wildlife habitat, improve water quality and storm water runoff and improve shoreline stability. (See Figure 4.18 for site location and enhanced vegetation).

Figure 4.18

84 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan

Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.16 South Ogden Estates – Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor Sub-Area South Ogden Estates, named for the parcels long time owner, is located in the Buffalo River floodplain near the City line border with West Seneca. The area is a critical conservation parcel consisting of floodplain forest as classified by the DEC in their Fish and Wildlife Habitat Inventory and Assessment of the Lower Buffalo River. The area was listed as a priority project area in the 2002 NYS Open Space Plan (O’Neill, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® 2002). The Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® tried to purchase the property in 2002 for its potential for habitat protection and restoration and as a possible flood management area. The Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® have proposed the acquisition of a minimum 100-foot easement along the river by a group such as the WNY Land Conservancy or Trust for Public Land. (See Figure 4.20 for site location and 100-foot setback)

Figure 4.20

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 87 Proposed New Greenway Elements Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District Information for the Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District is discussed from west to east based on the three Sub-Areas.

3.17 Special Focus Areas – Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District The following Special Focus Areas (SFAs) were established in the 1999 Town of West Seneca Municpal Open Space & Greenway Protection Report. These areas were identified based on the following criteria and features taken from the 1999 Report:

Archeological or historical sensitivity Wetlands 100-year floodplains Potential habitat for rare animal species Locally rare plant communities, such as areas of closed canopy forest greater than four contiguous acres Unique land forms or geological features, such as ravines, rapids and waterfalls

For more information on these specific features refer to Appendix A of this Greenway Plan or the 1999 Town of West Seneca Municpal Open Space & Greenway Protection Report.

The following lists the thirteen SFAs identified within the 1999 Report that fall within the Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District. These SFAs provide exceptional opportunities for protecting open space and greenbelts. These SFAs are distributed fairly evenly along the creeks and could provide key neighborhood links and public access to the creeks. There are however, several constraints that may limit access to these key sites. They include existing business and industries, active railroad lines, heavy traffic roads and adjacent intersections. These constraints raise concern over public versus private land use and pedestrian safety when accessing these sites. Alternative access points to these SFAs need to be considered and investigated to ensure safety for all.

Cayuga Creek – Border of Cheektowaga and West Seneca (Figure 4.3, page 59 and Figure 4.21) 1. North of Clinton Street and French Road (Old Union Road)

Buffalo Creek – West Seneca (Figure 4.3, page 59 and Figure 4.21) 2. South of Clinton Street near Lakeside Drive 3. South of Clinton Street near the ConRail crossing 4. South of Clinton and north of Seneca Creek Road, upstream of Union Road 5. North of Seneca Creek Road, across from Lindner 6. East of Borden Road where the road crosses Buffalo Creek

88 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements

Figure 4.21

Cazenovia Creek – West Seneca (Figure 4.3, page 59 and Figure 4.22) 7. North of Orchard Park Road, downstream of the ConRail crossing 8. North of Main Street where Main intersects with Seneca Street 9. Rear lots on either side of Cazenovia Creek, east of Orchard Park Road and south Seneca Street 10. North of East and West Road, west of Houghton College 11. North side of Cazenovia Creek in the vicinity of the Mill Road bridge 12. Single parcel south of Seneca Street 13. Area between Leydecker and Transit Roads

Figure 4.22

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 89 Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.18 Cayuga Creek – Cheektowaga These site opportunities and projects have all been adapted and obtained from the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study.

Stiglmeier Park Maintain and preserve the park as a natural passive park with walking trails that highlight flora and fauna within the park, without causing harm to any existing habitats with over development of the Park (as requested by Friends of the Woods in 1996). Supplement additional native vegetation to increase wildlife habitat areas and help educate people on preserving and restoring natural settings. In addition, maintain the existing wetlands and forest habitats located in a southwest drainage corridor and 100- year Cayuga Creek flood plain within the park as both a vital natural and undisturbed resource as well as a natural buffer and extended habitat corridor for the Reinstein Nature Preserve. Active recreation should take place outside of these vital habitat areas where they will cause the least amount of harm. Through the development of a natural resource and forestry management plan by the Town, the Steering Committee can work to comply with and adapt the plan to Stilgmeier Park as well as other town-owned natural areas and open space. A fiscal plan will also help to guarantee that funds for needed maintenance of all facilities at Stiglmeier Park will be available.

State Environmental Bond Act The initiatives under the State Environmental Bond Act need to continue to be undertaken to protect the Cayuga Creek Corridor and project area. These initiatives include but are not limited to: Acquiring acreage along Cayuga Creek west of Stiglmeier Park which contains valuable forest and wetlands, similar to those found in the Park and Reinstein Woods, will help create a large mosaic of habitat, expanded and protected wildlife corridor which ultimately helps improve habitat, wildlife, air and water quality. Restore the 55 acres of land leased to the Town of Cheektowaga by Erie County to its original landscape characteristics as a lowland forest. Develop a nature preserve within the site to help educate people on restoration and preservation of damaged sites.

Open Space Corridor A “visual space corridor” should be maintained on the south side of William Street between Cayuga Creek and Union Roads. Any new development that would happen in the area needs to be set back from this visual open space corridor along the parcels’ south boundary and the floodplain of Cayuga Creek. The mature trees found within this corridor need to be preserved when and where ever possible. Linkages can be established within and to this corridor for passive recreational uses to other greenway corridors along Cayuga Creek, railroad right-of-ways and other drainage corridors. All would become part of the larger Buffalo River Greenway and would help to increase connections and recreational trails throughout Cheektowaga.

90 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements Rails-to-Trails Pursue the acquisition of land and properties including railroad right-of-ways, and properties along Slate Bottom Creek, a tributary of Cayuga Creek. Apply for transportation agency grants for the development of this land as Rails-to-Trails projects, with assistance from and incorporation of guidelines from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. (See Figure 4.23 for Trail location)

Critical Environmental Impact Zoning and Tree Preservation Continue to apply the Town’s Critical Environmental Impact Zoning and Tree Preservation Ordinance to help protect, preserve, and reserve critical floodplain areas along Cayuga Creek from development. Since Cayuga Creek can be prone to flooding, new development should never take place within floodplains which would disrupt the natural functioning and flooding of the Creek and therefore increase insurance rates of new development as well as surrounding existing developments. Conservation easements for floodplain areas that area already developed should be sought to help improve Creek functioning, riparian planting and habitat protection. (Corridor Restoration Study 1997)

There are several other areas along Cayuga Creek that have potential for park designation and development, or conservation easement which would allow for Trail implementation. These areas are all either owned by Erie County, Town of Cheektowaga or public entities. They include (Figure 4.3, page 59 and Figure 4.23):

A. John F. Kennedy Middle and High School grounds between the Creek and Cayuga Creek Road B. Parcels east of Cayuga Creek Road, north of Fronckowiak Avenue, adjacent to the Creek C. Parcels north of Como Park Boulevard adjacent to the Creek

Figure 4.23

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 91 Proposed New Greenway Elements 3.19 Buffalo Creek – West Seneca These site opportunities and projects have all been adapted and obtained from the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study.

Critical Environmental Area The Critical Environmental Area would be an additional zoning overlay, similar to a 100- foot setback ordinance, that would be overlaid along the Creek banks and other adjacent lands identified as areas with important plant and wildlife habitats. This would help protect critical habitats and stream banks from being developed where necessary. This is to prohibit development that would cause more environmental harm than economic benefits, would impact creek function, and could pose a greater risk of flooding and downstream impacts.

West Seneca’s Open Space Inventory and Master Zoning Plan The plan needs to be updated to incorporate floodplain management, greenway enhancement, riparian habitat protection and any other zoning changes and management practices developed and recommended by the West Seneca Greenway Advisory Committee. Along with these updates, the cluster zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance need to be updated and adopted. The Town must encourage use and enforcement of these ordinances in future developments.

Botanical and Avifaunal Surveys Botanical and avifaunal surveys need to be completed with the help of the Buffalo Ornithological Society, the Buffalo Audubon Society or the Niagara Frontier Botanical Society. These surveys will help in the acquisition of critical habitats and birding areas, and prevent inappropriate development within these areas.

3.20 Cazenovia Creek – West Seneca and Buffalo

Redesign Cazenovia Creek Flood Channel The concrete-lined flood control channel in Cazenovia Creek has a negative impact on several natural functions of the creek including but not limited to: aquatic wildlife such as fish and amphibians; aquatic and upland vegetation; increased water velocity that impacts downstream banks and creek bottom which are eroding as a result of the fast moving water; increased contaminant flow in the area impacts downstream habitats where the contaminants can settle. The flood channel also impacts both the visual aesthetics of the area as well as human enjoyment of the creek. Design improvements could include the redevelopment of the creek into a soft bottom creek which would help to help retain and slow flood waters through such uses as check dams at the bottom of the creek. The redesign of Cazenovia Creek should also incorporate alternative measures for slope and bank stabilization other than concrete. This can include rip rap, gabions and native vegetation which will help improve the visual aesthetics of the Creek and improve vegetative and wildlife habitat.

92 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Proposed New Greenway Elements Establish Parkways and Greenway Trails along Legion Drive Various concepts have been developed by the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® for parkways on both North and South Legion Drives leading to Cazenovia Park. As part of the redesign of the Cazenovia Creek Flood Channel, a Greenway Trail should be incorporated with the Parkways along North and South Legion Drives which run parallel to the flood channel. A hiking and bicycling pathway, additional vegetation, trees and street lights should all be incorporated with the redesign. Even if the channel is not removed an improved pedestrian greenway should be designed and developed to the best extent possible. (See Figure 4.24 for designs and sections of Cazenovia Creek, Legion Drive and the Greenway Trails).

Figure 4.24

Incorporate Historical Native American Signage in Cazenovia Park Cazenovia Park is the starting point of a guided Native American heritage walking tour that connects up to Seneca Indian Park at Buffum Street and Fields Avenue, burial ground and other features dating to the Buffalo Creek Reservation days (1780s – 1840). Signage and landscape features should be provided for self-guided walks which provide historical information and a general understanding of the history (Greenway Plan 1996).

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 93 94 V. GREENWAY IMPLEMENTATION 1. INTRODUCTION pg. 97 COMPLETE PROPOSED PROJECTS AND EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES pg. 97 CITY AND PUBLICLY-OWNED LAND pg. 98 2. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES pg. 106 2.1 PUBLIC LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES 2.2 QUASI-PUBLIC LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES 2.3 PRIVATE LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES 2.4 ADDITIONAL LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES 3. LEVERAGING RESOURCES AND IDENTIFYING FUNDING pg. 108 3.1 FEDERAL GRANTS 3.2 NEW YORK STATE GRANTS 3.3 LOCAL GRANTS 3.4 CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS 4. LEGISLATIVE ACTION pg. 110 5. EDUCATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT pg. 110 5.1 INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS 5.2 MARKETING 5.3 PUBLIC COMMITMENT 6. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE pg. 111 7. TRAIL DEVELOPMENT pg. 112 7.1 TRAIL DEVELOPMENT COSTS pg. 112 7.2 TRAIL PLACEMENT pg. 113 7.2.1 Buffalo River Trail pg. 113 7.2.2 Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail pg. 134 7.2.3 Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail pg. 146 7.2.4 Cazenovia Creek West Seneca Trail pg. 168 8. DESIGN GUIDELINES pg. 181 8.1 BUFFALO RIVER GREENWAY TRAIL GUIDELINES 8.2 GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR BUFFALO RIVER WATERFRONT DISTRICT 8.2.1 Parking Lot Guidelines 8.2.2 Stormwater Runoff Guidelines 8.2.3 Buffers Between Uses 8.2.4 Access 8.2.5 Bridges and Street Lanes 8.2.6 Hazardous Waste 8.2.7 Pesticides

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 95 Greenway Implementation 8.3 DESIGN GUIDELINES BY PROPOSED LAND USE TYPES pg. 185 8.3.1 Conservation Area 8.3.2 Recreation Areas 8.3.3 Residential Areas 8.3.4 Commercial and Industrial Areas FIGURES Figure 5.1 – City-owned Parcels pg. 99 Figure 5.2 – City-owned Parcels pg. 101 Figure 5.3 – City-owned Parcels pg. 103 Figure 5.4 – Cayuga Creek pg. 104 Figure 5.5 – Buffalo Creek pg. 105 Figure 5.6 – Cazenovia Creek pg. 105 GREENWAY TRAIL MAPS Buffalo River Trail Segments Map #1 pg. 115 Map #2 pg. 117 Map #3 pg. 117 Map #4 pg. 121 Map #5 pg. 123 Map #6 pg. 123 Map #7 pg. 129 Map #8 pg. 129 Map #9 pg. 131 Map#10 pg. 131 Cayuga Creek Trail Segments Map #11 pg. 136 Map #12 pg. 139 Map #13A pg. 143 Map #13B pg. 144 Map #14A pg. 143 Map #14B pg. 144 Buffalo Creek Trail Segments Map #15 pg. 148 Map #16 pg. 150 Map #17 pg. 152 Map #18A pg. 156 Map #18B pg. 157 Map #19 pg. 148 Map #20 pg. 163 Map #21 pg. 156 Map #22 pg. 157 Cazenovia Creek Trail Segments Map #23A pg. 170 Map #23B pg. 171 Map #24 pg. 175 Map #25A pg. 178 Map #25B pg. 179 96 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation 1. INTRODUCTION In order for the Buffalo Greenway Plan to be successful, implementation strategies need to be followed closely and re-evaluated often to incorporate any changes in priority and implementation of conservation areas, park spaces, access points and construction of trail segments. The overall goal of the 2006 Buffalo River Greenway Vision and Implementation Plan is to provide a detailed, step by step description of how to implement the Greenway Trail. This Plan is designed to be used as a tool to provide guidance for local decision-makers. The purpose of this section is to fully detail costs and implementation strategies that need to be taken in order to see more of the recommended projects listed in the Site Specific Opportunities section of this Plan move into the completion list. Many projects have been completed and many more can be by following these implementation strategies.

COMPLETE PROPOSED PROJECTS AND EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES Establishing timeframes is another important step that can be taken to help see the implementation of the proposed restoration, protection, and revitalization projects. The following breaks down these proposed projects into three categories as they relate to the Greenway. The first is a list of proposed projects that either have preliminary designs or are currently undergoing some type of design work. The second is a list of projects/parcels that may or may not have existing plans and can realistically be implemented in the short term, with minimal commitments of resources. The last is a list of long-term and larger scale projects that require significant stakeholder involvement and financial resources. The steps needed to complete many of these projects and complete the Greenway Trail are discussed within this section.

Projects with Preliminary Designs or are in-progress and/or near completion Katherine Street Peninsula Old Bailey Woods Public Access Smith Street Habitat Restoration Site Access Red Jacket Peninsula Trail Access and Extension Ohio/Michigan Canoe Launch and Park

Short-term opportunities (less than 3 years) Ogden Estates Wetland – 100 foot shoreline land acquisition Public access behind the old Village Farms’ Republic Hydroponics Tomato Facility Legion Drive Parkways Old First Ward Link to Ohio Street Boat launch and improvements to Father Conway Park Greenway entrance at Stachowski Park Expansion of Tifft Nature Preserve LTV Steelfields, Ltd. brownfields restoration project

Long-term project completion (greater than 3 years) Mongovan Park Full completion, designation and construction of the Buffalo River Greenway Trail from the Inner and Outer Harbor, through Cheektowaga and West Seneca

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 97 Greenway Implementation CITY AND PUBLICLY-OWNED LAND City-owned and Publicly-owned property provides opportunities for public park space development as well as ease in placement and development of the Greenway Trail. The following information outlines City-owned, Town-owned, and publicly-owned parcels that should be secured for Greenway Trail development and increased public open/park space. These parcels, identified through GIS analysis and the 1996 Greenway Plan and 1997 Corridor Restoration Plan, should be considered a priority for protecting and developing as part of the Greenway Trail.

Buffalo River Sub-District There are several parcels of land that are City-owned throughout the Project Area. Many of these parcels are designated as park/public open space and owned and operated by the City Parks and Recreation Department, while several other parcels remain undeveloped.

The following information identifies some of the parcels that are City-owned and operated public parks, that are located directly adjacent to the River:

Houghton Park and Hillery Park (Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor Sub- Area) to the eastern end of the River by the West Seneca border Cazenovia Park on Cazenovia Creek Father Conway Park adjacent to Ohio Street (Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area) and the DEC canoe launch

The following tables and maps (Figures 5.1 – 5.3) identify the remaining City-owned parcels that are undeveloped. Most of these parcels are located directly adjacent to the River. Several parcels provide expansion opportunities of current park spaces as well as development and placement of the Greenway Trail.

Address Owner Acreage City of Buffalo- 159 Ohio Street 0.20 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 55 Buffalo River 6.75 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 61 Buffalo River 0.49 approx. Division of Real Estate

98 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Figure 5.1

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 99 Greenway Implementation

Address Owner Acreage 1328 South Park City of Buffalo 1.42 approx. 1316 South Park City of Buffalo 0.43 approx. City of Buffalo- 1388 South Park 1.37 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 1 Bertha 0.07 approx. Perfecting Title 3 Bertha City of Buffalo 0.07 approx. 5 Bertha City of Buffalo 0.09 approx. 11 Bertha City of Buffalo 0.55 approx. City of Buffalo- 609 New Bailey 2.3 approx. Parks & Recreation City of Buffalo- 883 Elk Street 0.39 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 3 Dunbar 0.17 approx Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 1 Dunbar 0.10 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 10 Pomeroy 0.29 approx Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 5 Pomeroy 1.40 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 12 Pomeroy 0.38 approx. Water Dept. City of Buffalo- 1619 Seneca Street 0.08 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 1665 Seneca Street 0.08 approx. Engineering Dept.

100 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Figure 5.2

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 101 Greenway Implementation

Address Owner Acreage City of Buffalo- 0 Juniata 0.33 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 19 Gorski Street 0.47 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 2 Weiss 0.37 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 1 Weiss 0.24 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 0 Weiss 0.12 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 65 Weimar 1.22 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 63 Weimar 0.25 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 6 Cable Street 0.29 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 8 Barnard 0.11 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 0 Barnard 0.06 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 118 Fenton 0.33 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 0 Fenton 0.55 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 0 Holly 0.54 approx. Perfecting Title City of Buffalo- 131 Willet 0.11 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 0 Polish Place 0.38 approx. Division of Real Estate City of Buffalo- 107 Polish Place 0.80 approx. Perfecting Title 42 Pontiac South City of Buffalo 0.66 approx. 18 Pontiac South City of Buffalo 0.22 approx. 22 Pierce South City of Buffalo 0.24 approx.

102 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Figure 5.3

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 103 Greenway Implementation Cayuga Creek Sub-Area There are several parcels of land within the Cayuga Creek project area that are publicly-owned or the Town of Cheektowaga has rights to. Some of the larger parcels include the 323-acre Stiglmeier Park (Figure 5.4 site A). The Town of Cheektowaga also owns land within the Town of West Seneca near the southwest corner of Clinton Street and Harlem Road (Figure 5.4 site B). The land is used as a sanitary sewer district facility. Cheektowaga also owns a 21.6 acre site along Cayuga Creek, north of Rowley Hollow Road (Figure 5.4 site C). NYS DEC owns the 220- acre Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve which is adjacent to Stiglmeier Park and available for public use (Figure 5.4 site D).

Figure 5.4

Buffalo Creek Sub-Area The Town of West Seneca owns or has rights to fewer parcels of land than the Town of Cheektowaga. West Seneca owns land north of Mineral Springs Road and west of the NYS Thruway which are used by the Town as waste transfer stations, compost facility and animal shelter (Figure 5.5 site A.). Two other parcels of land were recently developed and acquired for public use. One parcel is Island Park on Union Road across from Indian Church Road, which is home to the Charles E. Burchfield Nature and Arts Center (Figure 5.5 site B). The grounds and land are used for picnicking and hiking on the nature trails, while providing habitat and access for the Buffalo Creek. The other parcel, 14-acres is located along Clinton Street adjacent to Buffalo Creek near the old oxbow (Figure 5.5 site C). The land was donated to become a nature preserve. The Town also owns a 10-acre parcel of land oppposite of the Charles E. Burchfield Nature and Arts Center on the north side of the Creek (Figure 5.5 site D).

104 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Figure 5.5

Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area The Town of West Seneca owns only four parcels of land along Cazenovia Creek. Two of these parcels, West Seneca Soccer Complex (Figure 5.6 site A) and Mill Road Park (Figure 5.6 site B) are already developed and designated as park/recreation space. The other two parcels include a small 2-acre parcel adjacent to Cazenovia Park (Figure 5.6 site C) and a 4-acre parcel owned by the Town and used as Sewer District # 13 (Figure 5.6 site D).

Figure 5.6

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 105 Greenway Implementation 2. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES The following information is a series of strategies and action steps that can be used to assist in bringing the Buffalo River Greenway and its varying projects into existence and completion. Merely having an implementation program will not bring the Greenway to fruition; rather it serves as a reference tool for stakeholders to complete the task.

The Implementation Strategies are broken down into seven different categories and their subsequent recommended actions. For details of proposed projects or actions refer to Section IV – Proposed New Greenway Elements beginning on page 49.

2.1 PUBLIC LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES In order to ensure that public lands remain available for public use, publicly-owned parcels need to be protected from sale to private owners and development for private use. This can be accomplished through several different strategies, including:

Parkland Designation Conservation Area Designation Recreation Area Designation Re-zoning

One group of parcels that need to be protected for future public use and access to the River are known as Paper Streets. Paper Streets form a series of access points along the otherwise inaccessible Buffalo River. If developed, these access points could offer neighborhood and city-wide public access to the River. The Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® identified twenty- five paper streets along the Buffalo River in March 2001. For each paper street identified, a preliminary recommendation has been developed. All but one of the streets investigated leads directly to the Buffalo River, terminating at the River’s bank. In 22 cases, the streets are located adjacent to public open space or land owned by the City of Buffalo, or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In these cases, it is recommended that the streets be incorporated into the Buffalo River Greenway development plans and permanently protected through deed restriction or park designation. In February 2004, seven of the paper streets, adjacent to Seneca Bluffs, were protected through a conveyance to the County of Erie associated with the Seneca Bluffs Habitat Restoration Project. For additional recommendations, see Appendix D, pages 215-221 for the “Buffalo River Paper Streets: A Status Report.”

Areas that have been identified for wildlife conservation or public recreation are listed in Section IV – Proposed New Greenway Elements beginning on page 49. Examples of past land protections along the River include the designation of the Smith Street Habitat Restoration Site, the ongoing work at Times Beach and Seneca Bluffs, and the designation of Old Bailey Woods.

2.2 QUASI-PUBLIC LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES Another opportunity to increase public access to the waterfront and for recreational purposes is to utilize quasi-public lands. These are lands that are either quasi-government or corporate holdings, such as Niagara Mohawk Transmission Lands, New York State Electric and Gas Transmission Lands and National Fuel Gas Supply Transmission Lands. There are nine parcels

106 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation along the trail within Buffalo, one within Cheektowaga along Cayuga Creek, four along Buffalo Creek and one along Cazenovia Creek within West Seneca that have been identified as quasi- public holdings. An outright purchase or transfer of title is not realistically applicable, therefore these parcels would be ideal for conservation easements or landowner agreement.

2.3 PRIVATE LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES There are several strategies for acquiring privately held land for public access and use. These strategies for protection of private lands for public use include:

Purchasing vacant lands Purchasing private open space areas Conservation easements Land-owner agreements

There are currently twenty-seven properties that have been identified along the Greenway within Buffalo that are currently vacant and privately owned. Within Cheektowaga there are six vacant parcels along Cayuga Creek. There are a total of twenty-three vacant parcels within West Seneca, eighteen along Buffalo Creek, one of which is a privately owned abandoned rail line, and five along Cazenovia Creek. The majority of these parcels are owned by individuals. A few of the vacant parcels are owned by the City of Buffalo or Towns of Cheektowaga and West Seneca.

The purchase of private properties for the purpose of trail development and land protection can be a costly scenario. However, in the long-run taking full title to said properties can be less cumbersome and a more secure process. Some federal and state grants include the option to acquire land that will be permanently protected. (See Leveraging Resources and Identifying Funding on pages 108 and 109).

The assessed value of the eighteen privately held parcels within the City of Buffalo is $756,490. However, more often than not, similar parcels are sold for far less than their assessment. Sometimes parcels can be purchased via a “bargain sale”, which is the sale of a property to a non- profit organization for less than the fair market value.

For parcels where the landowner does not want to relinquish title but is interested in protecting the land, a conservation easement may be the best option. The Land Trust Alliance defines a conservation easement (or conservation restriction) as:

“a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. It allows the landowner to continue to own and use your land and to sell it or pass it on to heirs...... A landowner sometimes sells a conservation easement, but usually easements are donated. If the donation benefits the public by permanently protecting important conservation resources and meets other federal tax code requirements - it can qualify as a tax-deductible charitable donation. The amount of the donation is the difference between the land’s value with the easement and its value without the easement. Placing an easement on the property may also result in property tax savings.” Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 107 Greenway Implementation The costs for long-term management of a conservation easement are difficult to predict. In addition to the legal defense costs, other factors should be considered including monitoring, liability insurance and general operating costs. There are a variety of formulas used by land trusts to predict these costs, but a non-formula estimate puts the one-time costs somewhere between $50-$300/acre. Variables include risk, location and acreage. The stewardship costs can be covered by a municipality or a third party, and does not affect the land owner. Historically, municipalities have had difficulty setting aside funds for conservation easements. Often times municipalities will bring in an outside partner to either be co-holder of the easement or to contract the monitoring function. It is recommended that any conservation easement or landowner agreement be coordinated by a third party such as the Trust for Public Land, the Western New York Land Conservancy, or New York State.

Another option is to place a deed restriction on the property. A deed restriction is a written stipulation contained within a deed that restricts certain future uses of the property generally inserted at the time of transfer. A deed restriction may include restrictions similar to those contained within a conservation easement. However, enforcement may only be carried out by the prior owner or other parties to the transaction and the restrictions may be canceled at any time by mutual written agreement.

2.4 ADDITIONAL LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES Some additional protection strategies include obtaining riverfront parcels via donation, auction, or foreclosure. A policy should be established with the City of Buffalo that if such properties come up for public auction or will be foreclosed on, notification should be made to the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®, or other organizations with a vested interest in protecting the properties. In the event that these lands are donated or purchased to private owners, the 100-foot set-back ordinance, as a condition of sale that the City of Buffalo maintains, must be adhered to and consistently implemented.

Previously identified “Open Space Yards” and “River Buffer Yards” along the River should be implemented, and the guidelines for the siting of the Greenway Trail will also protect lands and riverfront parcels.

3. LEVERAGING RESOURCES AND IDENTIFYING FUNDING There are several ways to help obtain and purchase parcels of land for public access development, trail and park development; and conservation areas. These parcels can be purchased through grants, acquired through cash donations or turned over for public control as a gift. There are three key things that should be demonstrated in order to obtaining grant dollars from federal, state or local sources. These include:

A collaborative effort that involves a variety of stakeholders, leverages additional funds, and will have far-reaching results Existing plans, designs, schematics, or guidelines for immediate project implementation A competent agency or organization that has a proven track record for effective project implementation without significant overhead

108 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation 3.1 FEDERAL GRANTS There are a variety of federal sources of funding available for Greenway implementation and complementary projects such as habitat restoration and urban renewal. These include the USEPA- Region II, and USEPA-Great Lakes National Program Office (Region V); TEA-21 Program from US Department of Transportation; US Fish & Wildlife Service; National Parks Service- Land and Water Conservation Fund “Rivers and Trails Division”; National Resources Conservation Service Small Grants Program for Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention; NOAA; and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) as administered through local governments.

3.2 NEW YORK STATE GRANTS As of the writing of this Plan, NYS is negotiating the 2006 budget which includes increased funding for the Environmental Protection Fund/NYS Environmental Bond Act. This has been a major source of state funds in the past. In addition, the Department of State periodically administers grants geared toward habitat restoration and community revitalization.

3.3 LOCAL GRANTS Local governments, non-profits, and foundations are also a good source of funding for projects associated with Greenway implementation. These organizations have the most vested interests in the outcomes of such planning and often times they have a personal interest in the projects. Local monies are also a good source of “match funding” for the larger state and federal grants. In addition to the City of Buffalo and County of Erie, foundations such as the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo have offered small grants in the past for Greenway planning. Some other local foundations include the Oishei Foundation and Margaret L. Wendt Foundation.

Local business and industry partners may also be able to assist with trail development and implementation by sponsoring sections of the Greenway Trail, or offering their company’s employees or equipment for volunteer efforts. Another example of locally generated funding for a Greenway Trail was used in High Point, NC through their “Buy-a-Foot” Campaign

3.4 CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS Whereas the Greenway Trail may not qualify as a capital investment, the communities through which the Greenway meanders may benefit from capital improvement projects. The 1996 Greenway Plan cites opportunities for recreation areas associated with such a Greenway Trail. Buildings within these recreation areas may house restroom facilities, snack shops, interpretative and educational structures, bike parking, and drinking fountains, all of which would add value to the existing Greenway. The Greenway can be considered an alternative mode of transportation, namely pedestrian and bicycle usage, and therefore should be incorporated into local roadway and bridge improvement plans.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 109 Greenway Implementation 4. LEGISLATIVE ACTION There are several legislative actions that can be taken to ensure protection of public access, designated parks and conservation spaces, trail placement and development, and protection of the waterfront from over development. The City of Buffalo Common Council and the Erie County Legislature have the most power to preserve, protect, and restore the integrity of the Greenway Trail. They can do this by following specific legislative actions including land use designations, zoning ordinances, resolutions, development restrictions, grant support, and upholding and adhering to ordinances. The City of Buffalo has passed several ordinances over the last decade that supports the creation of a Greenway Trail. In 2001 the City adopted a 100- foot building setback along the River, upstream from Ohio Street, designed to create a vegetative buffer along the River’s edge to filter stormwater, prevent erosion and provide shoreline habitat. This action expanded the original 25-foot, and then 50-foot setback ordinances, and now provides unprecedented public access opportunities to the Buffalo River. The 25-foot setback is still in place from Ohio Street downstream to Lake Erie.

5. EDUCATION & ENCOURAGEMENT In order for the Greenway Trail to be successful the Trail needs to be designed, developed and marketed so that is supported, maintained and easily used by the community and local residents. This can be accomplished through implementation of the following strategies:

5.1 INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS The Buffalo River Greenway Trail will wind through Buffalo for over 13 miles, Cheektowaga for 16 miles and West Seneca for 35 miles. It will encompass historical landmarks, important habitat areas, Native American history, and industrial heritage among others. An informed trail user is more likely to respect the Greenway which will result in a positive experience for all. The Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® has been an integral part of designing and implementing aspects the Greenway for over a decade and can offer a unique and thorough summary of the history behind the Greenway Trail. It is recommended that the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® coordinates with other local non-profits and agencies to pursue small grant funding for the purpose of creating interpretive materials for the completed trail. These materials will include a detailed map of the Trail, a self-guided tour, and summary of the trail highlights. The materials will be available at all community centers, public libraries, parks & recreation departments, and other local sites yet to be determined.

5.2 MARKETING The majority of the public is unaware of the existence of the extensive trail system already in place including the Riverwalk and the Scajaquada Creek pathway. The Buffalo River Greenway must be promoted accordingly. The Greenway encompasses a variety of attractions that will attract families, cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, and those who simply want to safely explore the Buffalo River watershed. Upon completion of the Greenway Trail it will be necessary to launch a public awareness campaign.

5.3 PUBLIC COMMITMENT Community stewardship is key in maintaining the condition of the trail, the safety of the trail, and the proper usage of the trail. As with many other restoration projects, the active involvement and visibility of the community and individuals will promote a positive image for 110 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation the Greenway, deter vandalism, and improve the quality of life for the residents who live along the Trail. Continued events like the Buffalo Riverfest and scheduled clean ups of the Buffalo River by Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® help to gain support of the Greenway and encourage residents to respect the trail, signs and parks along the Greenway.

6. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE Operations and maintenance of the Greenway Trail can be a shared responsibility between governmental, non-profit and community organizations. Maintenance can be categorized into two different types of categories:

That which needs to be performed on a continuous and scheduled basis That which may be performed on an irregular or as needed basis

The following has been adapted from the model “Maintenance Checklist for Greenways and Urban Trails” from the Denver Parks and Recreation Department.

Trail user safety is the most important trail maintenance concern. Tasks that require a scheduled and documented inspection include the condition of railings, bridges, trail surfaces, signage, and the removal of debris. It is recommended that the remaining tasks associated with the trail maintenance be shared by the following stakeholders:

There are three main groups that can be designated to be responsible for various operations and maintenance tasks. These groups and the tasks that each group has the capability of being responsible for include:

Public (City of Buffalo, County of Erie) Trail inspections Trash removal and trail sweeping (where necessary) Tree and shrub pruning, lawn mowing Scheduling of maintenance tasks Major trail repairs and replacement Law enforcement

Non-profit (Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®, Olmsted, etc.) Public Awareness & Marketing Volunteer Coordination Education and interpretation Coordination between agencies and organizations Adopt-a-Foot campaign

Community Stewardship (Community Organizations, Scouts, individuals) Graffiti control Informal trail inspections Aesthetic improvements

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 111 Greenway Implementation 7. TRAIL DEVELOPMENT In 2001, the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® obtained $6,500 in grant funding from the City of Buffalo to update Buffalo River greenway designs to reflect current conditions and prepare this Implementation Plan. The project team reviewed past greenway proposals, conducted numerous site visits, and held several meetings to obtain public input on the greenway’s design.

To date there have been ten segments sited through Buffalo from the Michigan Street Lift Bridge to Ogden Estates north. Four segments have been sited through Cheektowaga along Cayuga Creek from Clinton Street and Harlem Road to Transit Road. Eleven segments have been sited through West Seneca, eight along Buffalo Creek and four along Cazenovia Creek. Each segment is described in detail explaining the trail route, placement and trail type, as well as estimated costs, property issues, and recommended actions for trail implementation for each segment. Some segments also include some potential constraints to trail completion. Each segment is detailed through a corresponding map to help show trail placement and type in relation to surrounding roads and features.

7.1 TRAIL DEVELOPMENT COSTS Whereas, it may cost an estimated $5.83 million to complete the entire Buffalo River Greenway Trail from Buffalo through Cheektowaga and West Seneca, the long-term benefits far exceed the initial development costs. These costs can be considered “transfers” if local businesses, companies, and organizations are involved with the trail development.

The following information has been adapted from the Greenway System Implementation Plan, prepared for the City of Buffalo by Wendel, October 1998. The breakdown of the estimated development costs of the Buffalo River Greenway Trail is divided into three categories; 1) On-Road Shared Bike/Hike Lane Greenway Cost per (BHR) – Generally, bicyclists and motor Category linear foot vehicles share the same travel lane (usually 14-16’ wide) and sometimes On-Road Shared including curb-side parking lane. This $1.65* Bike/Hike Lane will include signage, approximately 3-4 per mile. Off-Road Bike/ $60.00* Hike Path 2) Off-Road Bike/Hike Path (BH) – An asphalt paved travel lane, an average Soft Foot Path $11.30* width of 10’ (feet), marked with signage, and edge striping, bollards, and other * The cost estimates include labor, material, supplies, safety features as required. equipment and overhead 3) Soft Foot Path (H) – Unpaved pathways, dressed with wood chips, usually through parks and natural areas.

112 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation 7.2 TRAIL PLACEMENT The Trail Development and placement has been broken down, for ease in following, into the same Sub-Districts and Sub-Areas:

Buffalo River Sub-District, Buffalo Cayuga Creek Sub-Area, Cheektowaga Buffalo Creek Sub-Area, West Seneca Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area, West Seneca

The three different types of trail categories, as discussed above in trail development costs, are also included for all reaches in these segments. They are abbreviated as follows:

BHR – On-Road shared Bike/Hike Lane BH – Off-Road Bike/Hike Path H – Soft Foot Path

7.2.1 Buffalo River Trail, Buffalo River Sub-District The Buffalo River Trail has been broken down into a total of ten segments which are discussed in greater detail in regards to trail routes, trail types and distances, trail development costs and land issues for each of the following segments:

Segment # 1BR: Starting from the Michigan Street Lift Bridge Segment # 2BR: Katharine Street Peninsula Segment # 3BR: Head of Katherine Street Peninsula to Smith Street Segment # 4BR: Republic Tomato and Old Bailey Woods Segment # 5BR: Cazenovia Creek and Park Segment # 6BR: Seneca Street Neighborhood and Community – Red Jacket Memorial Segment # 7BR: Mongovan Park/NiMo/Houghton Park Segment # 8BR: Seneca Bluffs Extension to Mineral Springs Road Segment # 9BR: Ogden Estates South Segment # 10 BR: Ogden Estates North

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 113 Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Trail – Segment # 1BR: See Map #1 (page 115) – Starting from the Michigan Street Lift Bridge 1. (BH) Travel southeast for 2167’ (0.41 mile) along Ohio Street 2. (BH) At the Ohio Street Basin entrance turn left and proceed 473’ (0.09 mile) 3. (BH) Proceed through Ohio Street Canoe Launch site and at 267’ (0.05 mile) merge back onto Ohio Street 4. (BHR) Travel Ohio Street for 188’ (0.035 mile) 5. (BHR) Proceed south on Ohio Street for 847’ (0.16 mile) to intersect of Ohio Street, Louisiana, and St. Clair Street 6. (BHR) Cross intersection to left and head NE St. Clair St. to South St. for 1059’ (0.2 mile) 7. (BHR) Make right on South Street, heading east, for 1047’ (0.2 mile) 8. Trail splits heading north or continuing east A. Northern path: i. (BHR) Proceed north 295’ (0.055 mile) on Hamburg Street and make right due east ii. (BH) Proceed E 577’ (0.11 mile) to Katharine Street B. Eastern path: i. (BH) Proceed east 134’ (0.025 mile) ii. (BH) Turn right south 752’ (0.14 mile) along river iii. (BH) Turn left and head east to Katharine Street 349’ (0.066 mile)

Estimated Costs: BHR = $5,670 (3,436 linear feet) BH = $283,140 (4,719 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 1BR = $288,810

Land Issues: South Street (Paper Street) Condition – Gravel, currently being used by GL Paper Fibers Recommended Action – Incorporate right of way in DEC Ohio Street Boat Launch/Public Access site. Protect through deed restriction or park designation.

114 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Map #1 - Buffalo River Trail Segment #1BR

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 115 Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Trail – Segment # 2BR: See Map #2 (page 117) – Katharine Street Peninsula Starting from the Northern path the first trailhead on Katharine Street: 1. (BHR) Travel south on Katharine Street for 766’ (0.145 mile) A. (BH) Left turn, 430’ (0.08 mile) to river (First trailhead) 2. (BHR) Continue south on Katharine Street for 219’ (0.04 mile) to the Second trailhead A. (BH) Right turn, 349’ (0.066 mile) to river 3. (BHR) Continue south on Katharine Street for 699’ (0.13 mile) to the Third trailhead, Ensign Paper Street, that is on the left A. (BH) Left turn, 648’ (0.123 mile) to river 4. (BHR) Continue south on Katharine Street for 464’ (0.087 mile) to the Fourth trailhead that is on the right A. (BH) Right turn, 728’ (0.137 mile) to river 5. (BHR & BH) Katharine Street terminates at the river 966’ (0.18 mile) from the Fourth trailhead 6. Total distance along perimeter of the Katharine Street Peninsula at the river’s edge A. (BH) Trailhead 1 to Trailhead 3 (east side of peninsula) – 971’ (0.184 mile) B. (BH) Trailhead 3 to Katharine Street termination – 2323’ (0.44 mile) C. (BH) Trailhead 4 to Katharine Street termination – 1420’ (0.27 mile) D. (BH) Trailhead 2 to Trailhead 4 (west side of peninsula) – 1345’ (0.255 mile)

Estimated Costs: BHR = $4,023 (2,438 linear feet) BH = $512,460 (8541 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 2BR = $516,483

Land Issues: Katharine Street; Ensign Street (Paper Streets) Condition – Blocked by guard rail; access to Buffalo Sandblasting Recommended Action – Use Katherine Street streets as public access to City of Buffalo property on southeastern end of peninsula City of Buffalo property on southeast end of peninsula. Pursue a conservation easement, deed restriction or zoning Buffalo Sandblasting ordinance to protect area.

116 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Map #2 & Map #3 - Buffalo River Trail Segment #2BR & #3BR

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 117 Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Trail – Segment # 3BR: See Map #3 (page 117) – Head of the Katherine Street Peninsula to Smith Street 1. (BHR) Head north 864’ (0.16 mile) Trail splits continuing north or heading southeast 2. (BHR) From the split, if traveling north, go 2175’ (0.41 mile) and make a right onto South Park Avenue A. (BHR) Right on South Park Avenue for 532’ (0.10 mile), or continue on South Park 1090’ (0.206 mile) to Smith Street B. (BHR) Bear right onto Leddy Street for 925’ (0.175 mile) C. (BH) Turn right into the field, proceed southwest on Valley Trail for 712’ (0.135 mile) D. (BH) Follow the Valley Trail and bear southeast for 250’ (0.047 mile) E. (BH) Hike along the grain elevator to Smith Street, 1078’ (0.20 mile) 3. (BHR) From the split, if traveling southeast, make a right onto O’Connell Avenue A. (BHR) Travel east to the end of O’Connell Avenue, 389’ (0.74 mile) B. (BH) Leave roadway and cross rail road tracks, 220’ (0.042 mile) C. (BH) Upon reaching second set of rail road tracks, bear south along the tracks for 1024’ (0.19 mile) to the Buffalo River D. (BH) Make right at River, travel 955’ (0.179 mile). (At this point the trail intersects with the end of the Katharine Street First trailhead stretch). 4. (H) At the intersection of the trailheads, head southeast 111’ (0.021 mile) and cross beneath the railroad bridge for 79’ (0.015 mile) A. (H) Hike along the trail through the Smith Street restored habitat to the Smith Street park, 820’ (0.155 mile) B. (BHR) From here, travel northeast, 1382’ (0.26 mile) to South Park Avenue, or 579’ (0.11) mile to intersection of Valley Trail. (Reverse directions for Valley Trail to return to South Park Avenue)

Estimated Costs: BHR = $12,184 (7384 linear feet) BH = $254,340 (4239 linear feet) H = $10,520 (931 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 3BR = $277,044

118 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Land Issues: Smith Street (Paper Street) Condition – Unsightly gravel access road to Erie County Smith Street Habitat Restoration site. Recommended Action – Obtain grant funding to restore as safe, clean access to the habitat restoration site. Protect through deed restriction or park designation. Entrance to Smith Street

Buffalo River Trail – Segment # 4BR: See Map #4 (page 121) – Former Republic Tomato and Old Bailey Woods Starting at the intersection of Smith Street and South Park Avenue 1. (BHR) Heading southeast on South Park Avenue, travel 1589’ (0.30 mile) to the South Park Lift Bridge 2. (BHR) Go across the bridge for 287’ (0.054 mile) 3. (BH) Turn left immediately after the bridge. Continue along the river front until an abandoned railroad berm, 2664’ (0.50 mile) 4. (BH) Cross the berm for 95’ (0.017 mile) 5. (BH) Continue along river’s edge for 761’ (0.144 mile) A. (BH) At this point the Payson Street access starts 294’ (0.055 mile) to the southwest 6. (BH) Travel 300’ (0.057 mile) through Old Bailey Woods site. A. (BH) At this point, site access from Iron Mountain Records, Inc. begins for 449’ (0.085 mile) towards the southeast. 7. (BH) Continuing on the trail along the river, Old Bailey Woods continues for 1181’ (0.22 mile) until Bailey Avenue 8. (BHR) Makes a left onto Bailey Avenue, and cross bridge for 170’ (0.03 mile). Continue north on Bailey Avenue for 617’ (0.117 mile) and cross street, 108’ (0.02 mile). Trail splits heading north or east

Estimated Costs: BHR = $6,240 (3782 linear feet) BH = $283,980 (4733 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 4BR = $290,220

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 119 Greenway Implementation Land Issues: Old Bailey Avenue, south section (Paper Street) Condition – Sold to Iron Mountain Records Corp. Recommended Action – Through a conservation easement, use remaining portion of the paper street to mark entrance to Old Bailey Woods Park. 150 Bailey Avenue Condition: Currently under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 200’) along the riverfront Old Bailey Avenue to Bailey Avenue.

150 Bailey Avenue

120 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Map #4 - Buffalo River Trail Segment #4BR

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 121 Greenway Implementation Cazenovia Creek Trail – Segment # 5BR: See Map #5 (page 123) - Cazenovia Creek and Park From Bailey Avenue where trail emerges from Old Bailey Woods, heading east along Cazenovia Creek 1. (BHR) Cross Bailey Avenue and hike past Southside Elementary School for 829’ (0.157 mile) 2. (BHR) Cross Southside Parkway to North Legion Drive, following Cazenovia Creek along the bank for 4790’ (0.91 mile) 3. (BHR) Cross Cazenovia Street and make right turn on other side of street. Cross bridge and make left into Cazenovia Park – a Buffalo Olmsted Park – 355’ (0.067 mile) 4. (BHR) Proceed on existing trails on the south side of Cazenovia Creek in the park for 2169’ (0.41 mile) 5. (BHR) Bear left over bridge for 82’ (0.015 mile) 6. (BHR) Follow existing trails on the north side of Cazenovia Creek back to Cazenovia Street, 2430’ (0.46 mile) 7. (BHR) At Cazenovia Street make a right turn

Estimated Costs: *Trails already exist. There are no costs associated with this segment of the Buffalo River Greenway, with the possible exception of improved or new signage.

Total Cost for Segment # 5BR = $0.00

Land Issues: Southside Elementary School – 430 Southside Parkway Challenge: There is a concern about the grade difference between Bailey Avenue and two points at the school site at. This may pose a problem related to ADA requirements. Recommended Action: Obtain grant funding for the construction of an ADA ramp.

Cazenovia Creek

Southside Elementary School

122 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Map #5 & Map #6 - Buffalo River Trail Segment #5BR & #6BR

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 123 Greenway Implementation Buffalo River – Segment # 6BR: See Map #6 (page 123) - Seneca Street Neighborhood and Community/Red Jacket Memorial Site Emerging from Cazenovia Creek Park at Cazenovia Street 1. (BHR) Follow Cazenovia Street northeast for 817’ (0.155 mile) to Seneca Street 2. (BHR) Cross Seneca Street, 65’ (0.012 mile), turn right and head down Seneca Street for 275’ (0.052 mile) 3. (BHR) Turn left on Buffum Street and travel 1684’ (0.32 mile) to Fields Avenue. The southeast corner of this intersection is the burial site/memorial for Red Jacket 4. (BHR) Turn left on Fields Avenue and go 93’ (0.018 mile) 5. (BHR) Bear to the right back along Buffum Street for 486’ (0.092 mile) 6. (BHR) Bear to the left (or W) onto Pritchard Avenue and proceed 282’ (0.053 mile) 7. (BHR) Follow the curve in the street for 339’ (0.064 mile) 8. (BHR) Continue heading northwest on Frank Avenue until it intersects with Mineral Springs Road, 1173’ (0.22 mile)

Estimated Costs: BHR = $8,603 (5214 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 6BR = $8,603

Land Issues: Intersection between Buffum Street and Fields Street Challenge: There is a concern about the grade difference at the intersection of these two roads. This may pose a problem when dealing with ADA requirements. Recommended Action: Obtain grant funding for the construction of an ADA ramp. 326 Mineral Spring Road Intersection between Buffum and Fields Streets Condition: This property runs along the railroad tracks and is currently under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue one of two land protection strategies; conservation easement or zoning ordinance.

124 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Trail – Segment # 7BR: See Map #7 (page 129) – Mongovan Park/NiMo/Houghton Park After crossing the Bailey Avenue bridge, the trail splits north and east. Following the northern route on the northern side of the Buffalo River 1. (BHR) Continue north over Bailey Avenue bridge for 298’ (0.056) 2. (BH) Make right and proceed along the north side of the Buffalo River for 1085’ (0.21 mile) until Seneca Street. 3. (BHR) Make left on Seneca Street and travel 605’ (0.115 mile) to Archer Avenue 4. (BHR) Make right on Archer Avenue and proceed 524’ (0.099 mile) 5. (BH) Enter Niagara Mohawk Power Company lands and hike 939’ (0.178 mile) along river’s edge. (At this point, looking northwest at the Transmission Plant, that is the site of the Seneca Nation of Indians Meeting House during their time in the Buffalo Reservation) 6. (BH) Proceed southeast along river’s edge and railroad berm for 1404’ (0.266 mile) 7. (BH) Make left and hike under railroad berm (via existing tunnel), 145’ (0.027 mile) A. (BH) Continue straight along trails in Houghton Park, 745’ (0.141 mile) B. (BH) Trail bears to the right, 513’ (0.097 mile) C. (BH) Trail turns left for 138’ (0.026 mile) D. (BH) Trail turns right and south to the end of Weimer Street, 485’ (0.092 mile) E. (BH) Trail returns to river’s edge, 218’ (0.041 mile) and meets Ogden Estates

Estimated Costs: BHR = $2,355 (1427 linear feet) BH = $340,320 (5672 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 7BR = $342,675

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 125 Greenway Implementation Land Issues: 609 New Bailey Challenge: There is a concern about the grade difference between New Bailey and the site. This may pose a problem when dealing with ADA requirements. Recommended Action: Obtain grant funding for the construction of an ADA ramp. 819, 821, and 865 Elk Street Condition: These three parcels are currently held in private ownership. Elk Street Parcels Recommended Action: Pursue land protection strategies including conservation easement, deed restriction and parkland designation/zoning ordinance. 96 Old Bailey – Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation Challenge: There is a concern about gaining access to the property due to fencing, and the paved areas of the property infringe on the 100-foot setback greenspace. Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a conservation easement with Niagara Mohawk Corp. The paved areas were Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation “grandfathered in” after the implementation of the 100-foot setback. Pursue grant funding or corporate sponsorship for the greening of these areas.

126 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Trail – Segment # 8BR: See Map #8 (page 129) – Seneca Bluffs Extension to Mineral Springs Rd After crossing the Bailey Avenue bridge, the trail splits north and east. Following the eastern route on the south side of the Buffalo River 1. (H) Proceed straight along the south side of Buffalo River for 778’ (0.147 mile). Bear to the right for 171’ (0.032 mile) along Dunbar Street. 2. (BHR) Make a left onto Pomeroy Street and go 266’ (0.05 mile) until Seneca Street 3. (BHR) Cross Seneca Street, 78’ (0.015 mile), and continue north on Seneca, crossing bridge 285’ (0.054 mile) to meet Mongovan Segment, OR, enter the Seneca Bluffs site. 4. (H*) Seneca Bluffs trail system is being designed and implemented by Erie County Department of Environment and Planning. The trails will be approximately 2548’ (0.483 mile). The Greenway Trail continues at the end of the site near Juniata Place. 5. (H) Proceed along rivers edge for 860’ (0.163 mile) A. (H) Make right on Pomona Place, 86’ (0.016 mile) B. (H) Make left onto Pawnee Parkway, 627’ (0.119 mile) C. (H) At Roanoke Parkway, bear right (S) on Pawnee, 200’ (0.038 mile) D. (H) Make left towards school, 120’ (0.023 mile) E. (H) Hike around school building, 447’ (0.085 mile) H. (H) Make right across property/field/parking lot 301’ (0.057 mile) I. (H) Make right and travel along railroad berm and power lines to Mineral Springs Road, 1052’ (0.199 mile). [BHR] Seneca Street Neighborhood and Community/Red Jacket Memorial Site segment is to the right, 400’ (0.075 mile)

Estimated Costs: BHR = $1,698 (1029 linear feet) H = $52,455 (4642 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 8BR = $54,153

*This section of the Trail will be constructed by Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, therefore there are not costs for this section.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 127 Greenway Implementation Land Issues: Pomeroy Street (Paper Street) Condition: Unfinished roadway serving up to #6 Recommended Action: Abandon Street and merge with School property subject to creation of public pathway along the river. Dunbar Street (Paper Street) Condition: Gravel Recommended Action: Same as Pomeroy. 12 Pomeroy & 430 Southside Parkway Challenge: There is a concern that the Pomeroy Street Southside Elementary School or the City of Buffalo is using this area for stockpiling of gravel and soils. This infringes on the 100-foot setback green space ordinance. Recommended Action: The area should be cleaned up with removal or replacement of the soils and gravel. Recommend to the City of Buffalo to enforce the 100-foot setback ordinance. 0 Juniata Place (Paper Street) – City of Buffalo Challenge: There is concern about the grade difference Dunbar Street between the end of the street and the river caused by a metal sheet piling wall. This may pose a problem when dealing with ADA requirements. Recommended Action: Incorporate property into the Seneca Bluffs Habitat Restoration Project. Pursue grant funding for the construction of an ADA ramp. Identify the party responsible for the construction of the sheet piling wall (possibly USACE) and pursue Section 1135 funds for environmental restoration. 130 Juniata Street Condition: Currently property is under private ownership. 133 Sage Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement for Greenway Trail pass through; or incorporate the property into the Seneca Bluffs Habitat Restoration Project through acquisition, or deed restriction. 133 and 140 Sage, and 146 Pomona Condition: Currently properties are under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement for Greenway Trail pass through; or consider incorporating the property into an extension of the Seneca Bluffs Habitat 140 Sage Restoration Project through acquisition, or deed restriction.

128 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Map #7 & Map #8 - Buffalo River Trail Segment #7BR & #8BR

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 129 Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Trail – Segment # 9BR: See Map #9 (page 131)– Ogden Estates South Emerging from Seneca Bluffs Extension at Mineral Springs Road 1. (BHR) Travel northeast on Mineral Springs Road, 272’ (0.052 mile) to the start of the Ogden Estates Trail (south side of River) 2. (BH) Make left off Mineral Springs Road along railroad berm into Ogden Estates, 1800’ (0.341 mile) until the river’s edge (south side) 3. (BH) At the river, turn right, and travel 1962’ (0.372 mile) until South Ogden Street. At this point the trail splits into a north and south direction. 4. (BHR) Heading south on South Ogden Street 1188’ (0.225 mile) until Mineral Springs Road. Turn right and travel 460’ (0.087 mile) will take you back to the entrance at Ogden Estates.

Estimated Costs: BHR = $3,168 (1920 linear feet) BH = $225,720 (3762 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 9BR = $228,888

Land Issues: 154 South Ogden Street Challenge: Recently auctioned and purchased by private land owner. Recommended Action: The prospective buyer has expressed interest and willingness to negotiate a conservation easement on the property for the purposes of the Greenway Trail. It is recommended that a deed restriction or park designation be given the Ogden properties known as “Ogden Estates”. 156 and 157 South Ogden Streets River near Ogden Condition: Currently vacant properties. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/ zoning ordinance.

156 Ogden Street 157 Ogden Street

130 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Map #9 & Map #10 - Buffalo River Trail Segment #9BR & #10BR

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 131 Greenway Implementation Buffalo River Trail – Segment # 10BR: See Map #10 (page 131) – Ogden Estates North Emerging from Houghton Park near the end of Weimer Street 1. (BH) Proceed along river’s edge, 1138’ (0.216 mile) to Willet Street 2. (BH) Turn left onto Willet and travel 370’ (0.070 mile) to Seward Street 3. (BHR) Travel 248’ (0.047 mile) to the intersection of South Ogden Street At this point the trail splits into a south and east direction. 4A. (BHR) Travel south on South Ogden, over the bridge will connect to the end of the South Ogden Estates south route 566’ (0.107 mile) 4B. (BHR) From the intersection of Seward and South Ogden, continue east on Seward to Pierce Street-Paper Street for 515’ (0.098 mile) A. (BH) Turn right onto Pierce Paper Street for 317’ (0.060 mile) to river’s edge B. (BH) Turn left at river’s edge and proceed along river to connect with the future West Seneca Greenway System, about 90’ (0.017 mile).

Estimated Costs: BHR = $2,193 (1329 linear feet) BH = $114,300 (1915 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 10BR = $116,493

Land Issues: Weimer, Cable Street, Barnard Street, Fenton Street, Holly Street, (Paper Streets) Condition: Blockaded and covered with brush and fields; interrupted by house at 41 Seward. Recommended Action: Protect lands for public access by expanding Stachowksi Park to include street right of way and City-owned adjacent properties; use waterfront parcels to create the Greenway Trail. Willet Street (Paper Street) Condition: Undeveloped and covered with fields. Recommended Action: Develop as an access road to Greenway Trail from Willet to Houghton- Stachowksi Park. Seward (Paper Street) Condition: Blockaded from Ogden, covered with field brush. Barnard Street Recommended Action: Prepare traffic analysis to determine the benefits and costs of connecting the street to the western portion of Seward. Pontiac Street and Pierce Street (Paper Streets) Condition: Undeveloped and covered with fields. Recommended Action: Use street right of ways and adjacent City owned properties to create a public access subject to permanent protection of the project area through deed restriction or public park designation.

132 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Length in Length Development Greenway Linear Feet in Miles Cost per Costs – Category – Buffalo River – Buffalo River linear foot Buffalo River Trail Trail Trail

On-Road Shared 31,348 5.94 $1.65 $51,724.00 Bike/Hike Lane

Off-Road Bike/ 33,581 6.36 $60.00 $2,014,860.00 Hike Path

Soft Foot Path 5,573* 1.06 $11.30 $62,975.00

Total Costs for Buffalo River Trail $2,129,559.00

*This does not include the hiking trails through Seneca Bluffs near Seneca Street. Trails are now under construction at the site by Erie County as part of the Seneca Bluffs Habitat Restoration Project.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 133 Greenway Implementation 7.2.2 – Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail, Cayuga Creek Sub-Area The Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail has been broken down into a total of four segments which are discussed in greater detail in regards to trail routes, trail types and distances, trail development costs and land issues.

Segment # 1CC: Starting from Buffalo River Trail and Buffalo Creek Trailheads at Clinton Street Segment # 2CC: Cayuga Creek Road to Union Road Segment # 3CC: North Bank Route – Union Road/Como Park Boulevard – Stiglmeier Park and Renstein Woods Nature Preserve to Transit Road Segment # 4CC: South Bank Route – Union Road/Losson Road – Stiglmeier Park and Renstein Woods Nature Preserve

Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail – Segment # 1CC See Map #11 (page 136) – Starting from Buffalo River Trail and Buffalo Creek Trailheads at Clinton Street 1. (BHR) From the Buffalo River, and Buffalo Creek North and South Bank Trailheads at the intersection of Clinton Street and Harlem Road, travel north along Harlem Road* for 764’ (0.145 mile) until the trail meets Creekside Drive where the trail splits A. (BHR) The Trail either turns right and travel east on to Creekside Drive and follow it to the end for 875’ (0.166 mile) B. (BHR) Or the Trail continues north along Harlem Road* for 220’ (0.042 mile) C. (BHR) Where the Trail veers right and follows Cayuga Creek Road* for 3500’ (0.663 mile) 2. (BH) From Creekside Drive exit Creekside Drive and continue 108’ (0.02 mile) to the Creek edge 3. (BH) At the Creek edge turn left and follow the Creek, around John F. Kennedy school grounds for 2526’ (0.478 mile), from here the trail splits and either A. (BH) Turns left and travels north for 1532’ (0.29 mile) to the first trailhead at Cayuga Creek Road, directly across from St. Henry Street B. (BH) Or the Trail continues east along the Creek for 1099’ (0.208 mile) C. (BH) Where the Trail turns left and travels north for 2155’ (0.408 mile) until the Trail meets up with the second trailhead at Cayuga Creek Road 4. (BHR) From Cayuga Creek Road where the Trail meets up with the first trailhead from the Creekside Drive trail continue east along Cayuga Creek Road* for 821’ (0.155 mile) until the Trail meets up with the second trailhead from the Creekside Drive trail

134 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Estimated Costs: BHR = $1,444 (875 linear feet) BH = $445,200 (7420 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 1CC = $446,644

*Harlem Road and Cayuga Creek Road are already LOS roads

Land Issues: Creekside Drive – Parcel adjacent to Creek Condition: Currently the property is vacant and under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. Rear parcel between 117 Cayuga Creek Road and Creek Condition: Currently the property is vacant and under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through Creekside Drive or land acquisition. John F. Kennedy Middle/High School – 305 Cayuga Creek Road 353, 359, 365, 371, 381, 387, 395, 409 Cayuga Creek Road Condition: Currently all properties are under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through. Niagara Mohawk Transmission Lands Condition: Property is owned by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a John F. Kennedy Middle/High School conservation easement with Niagara Mohawk Corp.

John F. Kennedy Middle/High School Niagara Mohawk Transmission Lands

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 135 Greenway Implementation Cayuga Creek Map #11 - Cayuga Creek Trail Segment #1CC

136 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail – Segment # 2CC See Map #12 (page 139) – Cayuga Creek Road to Union Road 1. (BHR) From the second trailhead at Cayuga Creek Road continue traveling east/ northeast along Cayuga Creek Road* for 3067’ (0.581 mile), from here the trail splits and A. (BH) Turns right and travels southeast towards Creek for 551’ (0.104 mile) B. (BH) The Trail then loops around property owned by Erie County for 7234’ (1.37 mile) where it connects back up with entrance to the property, turns left and travels back to Cayuga Creek Road 2. (BHR) Continuing along Cayuga Creek Road* the Trail travels for 1207’ (0.228 mile) until William Street 3. (BHR) The Trail turns right and follows William Street* for 1211’ (0.229 mile) until the Trail meets up with Union Road where the Trail splits into a North Bank route or a South Bank route and either A. (BHR) Turns right and travels south along Union Road* for 1095’ (0.207 mile) to Losson Road where the trail splits and either i. Turns left at Losson Road and continues along the Cayuga Creek Trail along Losson Road for the South Bank route ii. (BHR) Or continues south along Union Road* for 4271’ (0.809 mile) iii. (BH) Here the Trail turns right and follows the GBNRTC railroad tracks south for 4620’ (0.875 mile) until the tracks meet up with Clinton Street and join the Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail System B. (BHR) Turns left and travels north along Union Road*, as the North Bank route, for 1096’ (0.208 mile) to Bennett Road

Estimated Costs: BH = $744,300 (12405 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 2CC = $744,300

*Cayuga Creek Road, William Street and Union Road are already LOS roads

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 137 Greenway Implementation

Land Issues: Parcel between 707 and 745 Cayuga Creek Road and three parcels behind, adjacent to the Creek Condition: Currently the property is vacant and owned by Erie County. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/ zoning ordinance. 715 Cayuga Creek Road and adjacent parcel Erie County sewer district Condition: Currently the property is vacant and owned by Erie County as part of sewer district #1 Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/ zoning ordinance.

Dirt road on Erie County sewer district property

Dirt road and trail adjaceny to Cayuga Creek People fishing on Erie County sewer disctrict on Erie County sewer district property property

138 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Cayuga Creek Map #12 - Cayuga Creek Trail Segment #2CC

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 139 Greenway Implementation Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail – North Bank – Segment # 3CC See Map #13A (page 143) and Map #13B (page 144) – North Bank Route – Union Road/Como Park Boulevard Stiglmeier Park and Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve to Transit Road 1. (BHR) Continuing along the North Bank route the trail turns right from Union Road onto Bennett Road* and travels east for 3724’ (0.705 mile) until Bennett Road joins with Como Park Boulevard 2. (BHR) At Como Park Boulevard the trail veers to the right and travels east along Como Park Boulevard* for 4272’ (0.809 mile) where the trail splits in several directions A. Here the trail either turns right into the existing trail system within Stiglmeier Park and Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve B. (BH) Or turns left and travels 656’ (0.124 mile) north to Rowley Road, (BH) crosses Rowley Road and continues north for 876’ (0.166 mile) i. (BH) Here the trail turns left and travels west for 1539’ (0.291 mile) ii. (BH) Here the trail turns right and travels 220’ (0.042 mile) north to the Creek edge iii. (BH) Where the trail turns right and follows the Creek east for 2858’ (0.541 mile) iv. (BH) Here the trail turns right and loops back west for 987’ (0.187 mile) v. (BHR) Where the trail meets up with Old Farm Road and travels south along Old Farm Road for 896’ (0.17 mile) until the road meets back up with Rowley Road vi. (BHR) Here the trail turns left and follows Rowley Road for 3828’ (0.725 mile) until it intersects with Borden Road vii. (BHR) Here the trail turns right and travels south on Borden Road for 1969’ (0.373 mile) where the trail meets back up with and turns left onto Como Park Boulevard C. (BHR) Or the trail continues east along Como Park Boulevard for 4593’ (0.87 mile) where the trail meets up with Borden Road 3. (BHR) From Borden Road the trail continues east along Como Park Boulevard for 3090’ (0.585 mile) until the trail intersects with Transit Road and connects up with the Lancaster Trail System and Como Lake Park

140 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Estimated Costs: BHR = $23,721 (14376 linear feet) BH = $428,160 (7136 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 3CC = $451,881

*Cayuga Creek Road, William Street and Union Road are already LOS roads *Trails already exist within Stilgmeier Park and Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

Land Issues: Parcel between 63 Fawn Court and 55 Wyndmoor Court Condition: Currently the property is vacant and owned by the Town of Cheektowaga. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/ zoning ordinance. Parcel between 39 Deer Trail and 10 Old Farm Court which runs to and along the Creek Condition: Currently the property is vacant and owned by the Town of Cheektowaga. Proporty off of Como Park Boulevard owned Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following by Town of Cheektowaga land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/ zoning ordinance.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 141 Greenway Implementation

Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail – South Bank – Segment # 4CC See Map #14A (page 143) and Map #14B (page 144) – South Bank Route – Union Road/Losson Road Stiglmeier Park and Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve 1. (BHR) Continuing along the South Bank trail travel 4620’ (0.875 mile) east along Losson Road* from Union Road until the GBNRTC railroad tracks which could be followed south to Slate Bottom Creek and a proposed Rails-to-Trails system along Slate Bottom Creek, or the tracks could be followed all the way to Union Road where the trail meets up with the Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail System 2. (BHR) From the GBNRTC tracks continue east along Losson Road* for 8583’ (1.626 mile), past Stiglmeier Park and Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve where the trail can turn left into the parks and connect up with the parks existing trail systems, until Losson Road intersects with Borden Road 3. (BHR) The trail turns left at Borden Road and follows Borden Road north for 4626’ (0.876 mile) where the trail connects up with the north bank trail at Como Park Boulevard

Estimated Costs: BHR = $7,633 (4626 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 4CC = $7,633

*Losson Road is already an LOS road *Trails already exist within Stilgmeier Park and Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

142 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Cayuga Creek Map #13A & Map #14A - Cayuga Creek Trail Segment #3CC & #4CC

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 143 Greenway Implementation Cayuga Creek Map #13B & Map #14B - Cayuga Creek Trail Segment #3CC & #4CC

144 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Greenway Length in Length Development Category Linear Feet – in Miles – Cost per Costs – Cayuga Creek Cayuga Creek linear foot Cayuga Creek Trail Trail Trail

On-Road Shared 58,328 11.05 $1.65 $32,798.00 Bike/Hike Lane*

Off-Road Bike/ 26,961 5.11 $60.00 $1,617,660.00 Hike Path

Soft Foot Path 0 0 $11.30 $0.00

Total Costs for Cayuga Creek Trail $1,650,458.00

*Trail lengths include existing LOS designated roads with bike lanes – development costs for the trail does not include existing LOS designated roads with bike lanes

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 145 Greenway Implementation 7.2.3 – Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail, Buffalo Creek Sub-Area The Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail has been broken down into a total of eight segments, four segments for the North Bank Trail and four segments for the South Bank Trail. Each of these segments are discussed in greater detail in regards to trail routes, trail types and distances, trail development costs and land issues.

Segment # 1NB: North Bank Route – Starting from the North Bank of Ogden Estates and Buffalo River Trail Trailhead to Clinton Street Segment # 2NB: North Bank Route – Cayuga Creek Trailhead Clinton Street/Lakeside Drive/Oxbow Segment # 3NB: North Bank Route – Clinton Street/Oxbow to Union Road Segment # 4NB: North Bank Route – Clinton Street/Union Road to Transit Road Segment # 1SB: South Bank Route – Starting from Buffalo River Trailhead at Ogden Estates – South Ogden and Mineral Springs Road to Doris Drive Segment # 2SB: South Bank Route – Mineral Springs Road/Doris Drive to Indian Church Road Segment # 3SB: South Bank Route – Indian Church Road Burchfield Nature and Arts Center – Seneca Creek Road Segment # 4SB: South Bank Route – Seneca Creek Road at St. Johns Avenue to Transit Road

From Ogden Estates North Bank to West Seneca Trail – Segment # 1NB See Map #15 (page 148) – North Bank Route – Starting from North Bank Ogden Estates and Buffalo River Trail Trailhead to Clinton Street 1. (BH) Follow the River’s edge from Pierce Street for 1972’ (0.373 mile) to Crawford Drive 2. (BH)Turn left and travel 220’ (0.042 mile) to Casimir Street 3. (BHR) Turn Right and head East along Casimir Street for 330’ (0.063 mile) 4. (BHR) Casimir Street turns left and heads north for 1099’ (0.208 mile) until it reaches Clinton Street 5. (BHR) Turn Right and head east along Clinton Street* for 1627’ (0.308 mile) until Clinton Intersects with Harlem Road from here the trail splits into three possible routes A. (BHR) North along Harlem Road to follow the Cheektowaga Trail along Cayuga Creek B. (BHR) South along Harlem Road until it meets up with the entrance to the DEC Canoe Launch and the South Bank of the West Seneca Trail along Buffalo Creek C. (BHR) Continues East along Clinton Street to follow the North bank of the Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail

146 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Estimated Costs: BHR = $2,358 (1429 linear feet) BH = $131,520 (2192 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 1NB = $133,878

*Clinton Street is already an LOS road

Land Issues: Pierce Street (Paper Street) Condition: Undeveloped and covered with fields. Recommended Action: Use street right-of-ways and adjacent City owned properties to create a public access subject to permanent protection of the project area through deed restriction or public park designation. Five parcels, adjacent to the River, are County of Erie property at the City Line and West Seneca. Pursue a conservation easement, deed restriction or zoning ordinance to allow the Greenway Trail to pass through. 19 Nash Street and 19 Electric Avenue Condition: Currently the properties are under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement for Greenway Trail pass through. 231917 Casimir Street Condition: Currently transmission lands for National Fuel Gas Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a conservation easement with National Fuel.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 147 Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek Map #15 & Map #19 - Buffalo Creek Trail Segment #1NB & #1SB

148 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail – North Bank – Segment # 2NB See Map #16 (page 150) – North Bank Route – Cayuga Creek Trailhead Clinton Street/Lakeside Drive/Oxbow 1. (BHR) Continue east along Clinton Street* from the intersection of Clinton and Harlem Road, and the Trailhead for Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail, for 1980’ (0.375 mile) until Lakeside Court 2. (BHR) Turn right on to Lakeside Court for 495’ (0.094 mile) until you reach Lakeside Drive 3. (BHR) Turn left onto Lakeside Drive follow it to the end, 1155’ (0.219 mile) and then enter land that was identified as one of the Special Focus Areas 4. (BH) Travel to the Creek for 495’ (0.094 mile) 5. (BH) Turn left and continue east along the Creek for 1704’ (0.322 mile), past the 14 acres of land donated to West Seneca as a Nature Preserve, where trail users can exit and travel any future trail development through the site 6. (BH) Turn left past the Oxbow and follow the trail northeast away from the Creek for 1532’ (0.29 mile) until the trail meets back up with Clinton Street

Estimated Costs: BHR = $2,723 (1650 linear feet) BH = $223,860 (3731 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 2NB = $226,583

*Clinton Street is already an LOS road

Land Issues: 114 Lakeside Drive Condition: Property is currently vacant. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/ zoning ordinance. 2723 and 2869 Clinton Street Condition: Currently the property is under private ownership, is used for agricultural purposes, and classified as a floodplain. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation Lakeside Drive easement (approximately 200’) for Greenway Trail pass through. Or pursue the option to acquire the land to help manage and maintain the oxbow, dams, wetlands and floodplains.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 149 Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek Map #16 - Buffalo Creek Trail Segment #2NB

150 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail – North Bank – Segment # 3NB See Map #17 (page 152) – North Bank Route – Clinton Street/Oxbow to Union Road 1. (BH) At Clinton Street turn right and follow trail south toward the Creek for 3011’ (0.57 mile) 2. (BH) Follow the trail adjacent to the Creek for 1129’ (0.214 mile) where the Trail connects up with abandoned Railroad Tracks that are part of the GBNRTC 3. At the tracks the trail splits and travels either A. (BH) South, turn right from the Trail, travel 125’ (0.024 mile) across the Creek where it meets up with the South Bank Trail section B. (BH) North, turn left from Trail, and follow the tracks for 1980’ (0.375 mile) until the Trail connects up with Clinton Street, the tracks can continue to be followed to connect up with the Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail System 4. (BHR) At Clinton Street*, turn right and follow Clinton Street east for 2970’ (0.563 mile) until the trail intersects with Union Road

Estimated Costs: BH = $374,700 (6245 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 3NB = $374,700

*Clinton Street is already an LOS road

Land Issues: Niagara Mohawk Transmission Lands Condition: Property is owned by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a conservation easement with Niagara Mohawk Corp. 3099 Clinton Street Condition: Currently the property is under private ownership and is used for agricultural purposes. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation Niagara Mohawk Transmission Lands easement (approximately 200’) for Greenway Trail pass through. 3151 Clinton Street Condition: There are abandoned railroad tracks on the property which is currently under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement, zoning ordinance, or funding through the GBNRTC or Rails-to-Trails for conversion of the tracks into part of the Greenway Trail.

Lady walking her dog along abandoned railroad tracks

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 151 Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek Map #17 - Buffalo Creek Trail Segment #3NB

152 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail – North Bank – Segment # 4NB See Map #18A (page 156) and Map #18B (page 157) – North Bank Route – Clinton Street/Union Road to Transit Road 1. (BHR) At the intersection of Clinton Street and Union Road the Trail splits into two directions – A. (BHR) One trail turns right and travels south along Union Road* for 247’ (0.047 mile) to meet up with the South Bank Trail at Burchfield Nature and Arts Center B. (BHR) The North Bank Trail continues east along Clinton Street* across Union Road for 1155’ (0.219 mile) where the trail either i. (BHR) Continues east along Clinton Street* for 223’ (0.042 mile) ii. (H) Or turns right and exits Clinton Street, across from Weigand Street 2. (H) The Trail continues south from Clinton Street for 247’ (0.047 mile) to the Creek 3. (H) From here the trail follows the creek edge for 834’ (0.16 mile) 4. At this point the trail splits into two directions A. (H) Turns left and travels northwest for 334’ (0.063 mile) where it connects back up with Clinton Street and i. (BHR) Turns right and follows Clinton Street* for 3592’ (0.68 mile) to Linder Drive B. (H) Or continues along the Creek for 2408’ (0.456 mile), where the trail meets up with Lindner Drive C. (H) Turns left and travels north for 639’ (0.121 mile) to Lindner Drive D. (BHR) Then follows Lindner Drive for 479’ (0.091 mile) to where the trail meets back up with Clinton Street E. (BHR) Turns right and travels east along Clinton Street* for 7095’ (1.344 mile) to Borden Road 5. The Trail splits at the intersection of Clinton Street and Borden Road A. (BHR) And either continues east along Clinton Street* for 3300’ (0.625 mile) where it meets up with Transit Road and joins up with the Elma Trail system B. (BHR) Or turns right and travels 1402’ (0.266 mile) south along Borden Road where it meets up with the South bank trail

Estimated Costs: BHR = $3,104 (1881 linear feet) H = $50,420.60 (4462 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 4NB = $53,524.60

*Clinton Street and Union Road are already LOS roads

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 153 Greenway Implementation Land Issues: 1250 Union Road Condition: Property is currently vacant and is owned by the Town of West Seneca. Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a conservation easement, land acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/zoning ordinance, for permanent protection of the land, Greenway Trail placement and future park develop. 3715, 3721, 3765, 3767, 3769, 3781, 3799, 3809 Clinton Vacant land along Clinton Street Street Condition: Currently all properties are under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through. 3825 and 3855 Clinton Street Condition: Currently all properties are under private ownership, and are part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through. 3859, 3863, 3869 Clinton Street Condition: Currently all properties are vacant, under private ownership, and are part of Ebenezer Land’s. Vacant land along Clinton Street Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition.

154 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation 3875, 3885, 3895, 3905, 3909 Clinton Street Condition: Currently all properties are under private ownership and are part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through. 3925 Clinton Street Condition: Currently the property is vacant, under private ownership, and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. Lindner Drive off of Clinto Street 3935, 3945, 3959 Clinton Street Condition: Currently all properties are under private ownership and are part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through. 3961 Clinton Street Condition: Currently the property is vacant, under private ownership, and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. 3985, 3995 Clinton Street and 3 Lindner Drive Condition: Currently all properties are under private Private parcels at the end of Lindner Drive ownership and are part of Ebenezer Land’s. adjacent to Buffalo Crekk Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 155 Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek Map #18A & Map #21 - Buffalo Creek Trail Segment #4NB & #3SB

156 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek Map #18B & Map #22 - Buffalo Creek Trail Segment #4NB & #4SB

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 157 Greenway Implementation

Length in Length Development Linear Feet – in Miles – Costs – Greenway Cost per Buffalo Creek Buffalo Creek Buffalo Creek Category linear foot North Bank North Bank North Bank Trail Trail Trail

On-Road Shared 27,149 5.14 $1.65 $8,185.00 Bike/Hike Lane*

Off-Road Bike/ 12,168 2.30 $60.00 $730,080.00 Hike Path

Soft Foot Path 4,462 0.85 $11.30 $50,420.60

Total Costs for Buffalo Creek North Bank Trail $788,685.60

*Trail lengths include existing LOS designated roads with bike lanes – development costs for the trail does not include existing LOS designated roads with bike lanes

158 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail – South Bank – Segment # 1SB See Map #19 (page 148) – South Bank Route – Starting from Buffalo River Trailhead at Ogden Estates 1. (BHR) Continue from Ogden Estates at the intersection of South Ogden and Mineral Springs Road traveling east along Mineral Springs Road for 4265’ (0.808 mile) until it intersects with Harlem Road 2. (BHR) Turn left and follow Harlem Road* for 961’ (0.182 mile) until you meet up with the entrance for the DEC Canoe Launch 3. (BHR) From here the Trail turns left into the DEC Canoe Launch or continues on straight along Harlem Road* for 1011’ (0.191 mile) just before the Harlem Road Bridge crosses the Creek 4. (BH) From here the Trail turns right and follows the Creek along vacant lands along the Creek edge for 2269’ (0.43 mile) 5. (BH) Turn right and head south from the Creek for 243’ (0.046 mile) until the Trail connects up with Mineral Springs Road directly across from Knox Avenue A. (BHR) Knox Avenue can be followed south for 1320’ (0.25 mile) until it connects up with Knox Park

Estimated Costs: BHR = $9,216 (5585 linear feet) BH = $150,720.00 (2512 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 1SB = $159,936.00

*Harlem Road is already an LOS road

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 159 Greenway Implementation Land Issues: 939 Harlem Road Condition: Currently the property is vacant and is privately owned. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/zoning ordinance. 452 Collins Avenue Condition: Currently the property is vacant and is privately owned. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land Harlem Road protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/zoning ordinance. 447 Collins Avenue Condition: Currently the property is vacant and is privately owned. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/zoning ordinance. Knox Avenue Parcel #6 Condition: Currently the property is vacant and is owned by the Town of West Seneca. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following Harlem Road land protection strategies; conservation easement, deed restriction, or park designation/zoning ordinance to protect the land. Knox Avenue Parcel #6 and Parcel #7 (Paper Streets) Condition: Currently the property is vacant and is owned by the Town of West Seneca. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, deed restriction, or park designation/zoning ordinance to protect the land.

Mineral Springs Road across from Knox Avenue

160 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail – South Bank – Segment # 2SB See Map #20 (page 163)– South Bank Route – Mineral Springs Road/Doris Drive to Indian Church Road 1. (BHR) When the Trail hits Mineral Springs, turn left, and follow Mineral Springs Road east past several side streets for 2871’ (0.544 mile) 2. (H) The trail turns left and leaves Mineral Springs just past Bangel Avenue, on the right. The trail travels northeast for 429’ (0.081 mile) until it reaches the Creek where it splits either to the left (west) or right (east) A. (H) The trail to the west follows Niagara Mohawk and National Fuel transmission lands along the Creek for 2854’ (0.539 mile) where it loops back and travels back east for 2854’ (0.539 mile) to where the trail splits 3. (H) The Trail to the east travels for 656’ (0.124 mile) where it connects to with the GBNRTC railroad lines A. (H) From here you can turn left, travel north for 165’ (0.031 mile) along the tracks across the Creek and connect up with the North Bank trail, which will eventually connect up with the Cayuga Creek Cheektowaga Trail System 4. (H) The main Trail continues along the south bank for 1535’ (0.291 mile) 5. (H) The Trail then turns right and travels south for 441’ (0.084 mile) until it connects up with Indian Church Road

Estimated Costs: BHR = $4,738 (2871 linear feet) H = $100,954.20 (8934 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 2SB = $105,692.20

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 161 Greenway Implementation Land Issues: Niagara Mohawk Transmission Lands Condition: Property is owned by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a conservation easement with Niagara Mohawk Corp. National Fuel Gas Supply Transmission Lands Condition: Property is owned by National Fuel. Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a conservation easement with Niagara Mohawk Corp. 961 Indian Church Road Condition: There are abandoned railroad tracks on the Niagara Mohawk Transmission Lands property which is currently under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement, zoning ordinance, or funding through the GBNRTC or Rails-to-Trails for conversion of the tracks into part of the Greenway Trail. New York State Electric and Gas Transmission Lands Condition: Property is owned by National Fuel. Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a conservation easement with Niagara Mohawk Corp.

People walking on abandoned railroad tracks

Land east of abandoned railroad tracks adjacent to New York State Electric and Gas Buffalo Creek Transmission Lands

162 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek Map #20 - Buffalo Creek Trail Segment #2SB

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 163 Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail – South Bank – Segment # 3SB See Map #21 (page 156) – South Bank Route – Indian Church Road – Burchfield Nature and Arts Center – Seneca Creek Road 1. (BHR) The Trail turns left and continues east along Indian Church Road for 2516’ (0.477 mile) until it meets up with Union Road A. (BHR) From here the trail either turns left onto Union Road* and follows it for 548’ (0.104 mile) where it connects to the North Bank Trail at Clinton Street 2. (BHR) The main trail continues east along the South Bank and crosses Union Road onto Race Street for 548’ (0.104 mile) where it meets up with the Burchfield Nature and Arts Center The Trail splits here and either A. (BH) Travels along existing trails through Burchfield Nature and Arts Center or leaves Race Street where the street bends and travels east for 876’ (0.166 mile) through one of the Special Focus Areas to the Creek edge B. (BHR) Or the trail continues to follow along Race Street which bends south east and turns into Henrietta Avenue for 984’ (0.186 mile) to Seneca Creek Road 3. (BHR) The Trail turns left and follows Seneca Creek Road east for 328’ (0.062 mile) to St. Johns Avenue where the trail splits A. (BHR) The Trail either, turns left, and follows St. Johns Avenue for 765’ (0.145 mile) to the end i. (BH) where it exits St. Johns Avenue travels 108’ (0.02 mile) and meets with the trail from Burchfield Nature and Arts Center B. (BHR) Or the Trail continues east along Seneca Creek Road for 3829’ (0.725 mile) where it connects with one of the Special Focus Areas, two vacant parcels of land

Estimated Costs: BHR = $14,801 (8970 linear feet) BH = $59,040 (984 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 3SB = $73,841

*Union Road is already an LOS road

Trails at Burchfield Nature and Arts Center Trails at Burchfield Nature and Arts Center

164 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Land Issues: 124, 140, 146, 160, 170 Seneca Creek Road Condition: Currently all properties are under private ownership and are part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail. 150 Seneca Creek Road Condition: Currently the property is vacant, under private ownership, and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement Informal trails adjacent to Buffalo Creek on (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or Seneca Creek Road parcels land acquisition. 178 Seneca Creek Road and rear lot of 290 Seneca Creek Road Condition: Currently the properties are vacant, under private ownership, and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 396, 410, 424, 432, 440, 450 Seneca Creek Road Condition: Currently the property is privately owned Seneca Creek Road parcels and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. 484 and 520 Seneca Creek Road Condition: Currently the properties are vacant, under private ownership, and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition.

St. John’s Avenue

Informal trails at St. John’s Avenue to Informal dirt bike course Special Focus Area parcels along Burchfield Nature and Arts Center and at St. John’s Avenue Seneca Creek Road adjacent parcels

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 165 Greenway Implementation Buffalo Creek West Seneca Trail – South Bank – Segment # 4SB See Map #22 (page 157) – South Bank Route – Seneca Creek Road at St. Johns Avenue to Transit Road 1. (H) The trail at the foot of St. Johns Avenue travels east along the creek for 3944’ (0.747 mile), where it connects up with one of the Special focus areas, two vacant parcels of land that have potential of being developed with park amenities and a trail system 2. (H) From here the Trail turns right and travels south for 984’ (0.186 mile), where the trail meets up with Seneca Creek Road 3. (BHR) The Trail turns left onto Seneca Creek Road where it travels east for 7260’ (1.375 mile) to Borden Road 4. (BHR) The trail turns left and travels north for 1096’ (0.208 mile) to the intersection of Blossom Road and one of the identified Special Focus Areas. Here the trail splits and either A. (BHR) Travels north along Borden Road for 1421’ (0.269 mile) where it crosses the Creek and meets up with the North Bank Trail B. (BHR) Or the Trail turns right and follows Blossom Road for 2077’ (0.393 mile) until the trail meets back up with Seneca Creek Road 5. (BHR) The trail follows Seneca Creek Road for 1096’ (0.208 mile) until the Trail hits Transit Road and connects up with the Elma Trail system

Estimated Costs: BHR = $21,368 (12950 linear feet) H = $55,686.40 (4928 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 4SB = $77,054.40

Land Issues: 131 Borden Road – identified as one of the Special Focus Areas Condition: Currently the property is under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue any of the following land protection strategies; conservation easement, acquisition, deed restriction, or park designation/zoning ordinance.

166 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation

Length in Length Development Linear Feet – in Miles – Costs – Greenway Cost per Buffalo Creek Buffalo Creek Buffalo Creek Category linear foot South Bank South Bank South Bank Trail Trail Trail

On-Road Shared 32,896 6.02 $1.65 $50,123.00 Bike/Hike Lane*

Off-Road Bike/ 3,496 0.66 $60.00 $209,760.00 Hike Path

Soft Foot Path 13,862 2.63 $11.30 $156,640.60

Total Costs for Buffalo Creek South Bank Trail $416,523.60

*Trail lengths include existing LOS designated roads with bike lanes – development costs for the trail does not include existing LOS designated roads with bike lanes

Buffalo Creek – North Bank Trail $788,685.60

Buffalo Creek – South Bank Trail $416,523.60

Total Costs for Buffalo Creek Trail $1,205,209.20

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 167 Greenway Implementation 7.2.4 – Cazenovia Creek West Seneca Trail, Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area The Cazenovia Creek West Seneca Trail has been broken down into a total of three segments. Each of these segments are discussed in greater detail in regards to trail routes, trail types and distances, trail development costs and land issues.

Segment # 1CAZ: Cazenovia Park to West Seneca Soccer Complex or Houghton College Segment # 2CAZ: North Bank Route – West Seneca Soccer Complex to Union Road South Bank Route – Houghton College to Union Road Segment # 3CAZ: Seneca Street at Union Road to Transit Road

Cazenovia Creek – Segment # 1CAZ: See Map #23A (page 170) and Map #23B (page 171)– Cazenovia Park to West Seneca Soccer Complex or Houghton College 1. (BHR) Continue along Cazenovia Parkway from the south bank, across the bridge, instead of turning left and following existing trails along the north bank, continue along Cazenovia Parkway for 1096’ (2.08 mile) 2. (BHR) The Trail turns right and travels 548’ (0.104 mile) until the Trail hits Seneca Street 3. (BHR) At Seneca Street turn right and follow Seneca Street* for 5798’ (1.098 mile), where the Trail splits 4. (H) The Trail either turns right across from the on/off ramp for the 400, and travels 233’ (0.044 mile) until the Trail meets the Creek A. (H) Here the Trail turns left and follows the Creek for 2523’ (0.478 mile) until the Trail reaches and crosses railroad tracks B. (H) Here the Trail turns left and follows transmission lands for 443’ (0.084 mile) until the Trail meets up with Seneca Street at the Trailhead and turns right 5. (BHR) Or the Trail continues along Seneca Street* for 2189’ (0.415 mile) until the Trailhead 6. (BHR) The Trail continues along Seneca Street* for 4330’ (0.82 mile) until the intersection of Seneca Street and Ridge Road where the Trail splits and A. (BHR) Either turns left at the intersection turn and follows Seneca Street* for 2510’ (0.475 mile) B. (BHR) Or turns right and follows Ridge Road*, west for 825’ (0.156 mile) until Orchard Park Road i. (BHR) At Orchard Park Road turn left and travel south along Orchard Park Road* for 6608’ (1.251 mile) until East and West Road ii. (BHR) At East and West Road turn left and follow the road east for 3297’ (0.624 mile)

168 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Estimated Costs: BHR = $8,153 (4941 linear feet) H = $36,148.70 (3199 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 1CAZ = $44,301.70

*Seneca Street, Orchard Park Road and Ridge Road are already LOS roads

Land Issues: Parcel between 2895 and 2943 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the property is vacant, under private ownership and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. 2983 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the property is under private ownership and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through. 2985 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the property is vacant, under private ownership and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. Vacant parcels on Seneca Street across from 400 on/off ramp 2987 Seneca Street, adjacent parcel and 3045 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the properties are under private ownership and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through. Pennsylvania Lines Railroad Tracks Condition: Currently the property is active and owned by Pennsylvania Lines LLC. Challenge and Recommended Action: A safe crossing route or alternative needs to be found for Trail users to cross the tracks safely – an underpass could be possible depending on cost, feasibility and legal permission from Pennsylvania Lines LLC. If this is not possible the off-road section of the Trail may not be feasible for access and safety issues. Niagara Mohawk Transmission Lands Condition: Property is owned by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Recommended Action: Pursue the option of a conservation easement with Niagara Mohawk Corp.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 169 Greenway Implementation Cazenovia Creek Map #23A - Cazenovia Creek Trail Segment #1CAZ

170 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Cazenovia Creek Map #23B - Cazenovia Creek Trail Segment #1CAZ

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 171 Greenway Implementation Cazenovia Creek – Segment # 2CAZ: See Map #24 (page 175) –North Bank Route – West Seneca Soccer Complex to Union Road South Bank Route – Houghton College to Union Road From West Seneca Soccer Complex – North Bank Route 1. (BH) From Seneca Street, across from Hilldale Avenue, turn right into the West Seneca Soccer Complex and travel 2318’ (0.439 mile) along existing Trails* to the Creek 2. (BH) At the Creek turn right and follow the Creek west for 2644’ (0.5 mile) 3. (BH) From here the Trail turns right and travels east for 1656’ (0.314 mile) until the Trail meets back up with the West Seneca Soccer Complex 4. (BH) Here the Trail turns left and follows existing Trails* for 878’ (0.166 mile) until the Trail meets back up with Seneca Street 5. (BHR) Turn right at Seneca Street* and continue east for 3312’ (0.627 mile) until Union Road From Houghton College – South Bank Route 1. (BH) From East and West Road, turn left and exit road onto Houghton College property, travel north for 994’ (0.188 mile) on an existing driveway* 2. (BH) Turn left and travel 525’ (0.99 mile) until the Trail meets the Creek 3. (BH) At the Creek turn right and follow the Creek for 1531’ (0.29 mile) until the Trail meets up with the main camps of Houghton College 4. (BH) Follow existing paths* and roadways through Houghton College for 1267’ (0.24 mile) exiting Houghton College from Park Lane onto Union Road 5. (BHR) Turn left onto Union Road and follow Union Road* north for 1980’ (0.375 mile) until Union Road intersects with Seneca Street

Estimated Costs: BH = $381,360 (6356 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 2CAZ = $381,360

*Seneca Street and Union Road are already LOS *Trails already exist at West Seneca Soccer Complex and Houghton College

172 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Land Issues: From West Seneca Soccer Complex – North Bank Route 3699 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the property is vacant, under private ownership and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. Rear lot adjacent to 3699 Seneca Street and Cazenovia Creek Condition: Currently the property is under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through. Parcel adjacent to 3699 Seneca Street, rear lot of 3675 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the property is vacant, under private ownership and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition.

Parking lot and land adjacent to Cazenovia Informal trail leading to Cazenovia Creek at West Seneca Soccer Complex Creek from paved trails within West Seneca Soccer Complex

Kids playing at Cazenovia Creek on Propsed trail adjacent to Cazenovia vacant parcel Creek on vacant parcel

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 173 Greenway Implementation FromHoughton College - South Bank Route Houghton College property off of East and West Road between 272 and 274 East and West Road Condition: Currently the property is privately owned by Houghton College and shares a private driveway. The Trail needs to cross a small tributary stream of Cazenovia Creek. Look at alternative locations of Trail placement for the easiest way to cross the stream. A small bridge may need to be created for ADA accessibility across the stream. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement, or permission from the College for Greenway Trail pass through. Houghton College property, 910 Union Condition: Currently the property is privately owned by Houghton College. Recommended Action: Discuss permission from Houghton College for public Trail use of their existing pathways and roadways for Greenway Trail pass through.

Houghton College property along East and Small tributary stream that the trail West Road would need to cross

Houghton College property leading to paved Houghton College property walkways within College

174 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Cazenovia Creek Map #24 - Cazenovia Creek Trail Segment #2CAZ

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 175 Greenway Implementation Cazenovia Creek – Segment # 3CAZ: See Map #25A (page 178) and Map #25B (page 179) –Seneca Street at Union Road to Transit Road 1. (BHR) From the intersection of Seneca Street and Union Road continue east along Seneca Street* for 1650’ (0.313 mile) until Mill Road From here the Trail splits and either A. (BHR) Turns right and follows Mill Road for 1307’ (0.248 mile) until i. (H) Turn left at Creek and travel along Creek through Mill Road Park for 8257’ (1.567 mile) until Leydecker Road B. (BHR) Or the Trail continues along Seneca Street* for 11431’ (2.165 mile) until Leydecker Road At Leydecker Road the Trail splits again 2. (BHR) From Seneca Street the Trail either continues along Seneca Street* for 6933’ (1.313 mile) to Transit Road (Seneca Street veers right after 2310’ from Leydecker Road) 3. (BHR) Or the Trail turns right from Seneca Street onto Leydecker Road and follows Leydecker Road for 6942’ (1.315 mile) until East and West Road A. (BHR) At East and West Road turn right and follow East and West Road for 6970’ (1.3 mile) until Volunteer Fireman’s Park. This route gives Trail users access to Volunteer Fireman’s Park and Sunshine Park

Estimated Costs: BHR = $25,111 (15219 linear feet) H = $93,304.10 (8257 linear feet) Total Cost for Segment # 3CAZ = $118,415.10

*Seneca Street is already an LOS road

176 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Land Issues: 4393 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the property is vacant and under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail pass through or land acquisition. 4397 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the property is under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement (approximately 100’) for Greenway Trail Undeveloped trail at Mill Road Park pass through. 4685, 4717, 4755, 4789, 4791, 4797, 4805, 4815, 4825, 4837, 4841, 4847, 4853, 4861, 4867, 4871, 4881, 4887, 4895, 4907, 4911, 4921, 4929, 4935, 4941, 4947, 4955, 4965, 4971, 4977, 4985 Seneca Street Condition: Currently all properties are under private ownership and part of Ebenezer Land’s. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation easement for Greenway Trail pass through. 5015 Seneca Street Condition: Currently the property is under private ownership. Recommended Action: Pursue a conservation People playing in Cazenovia Creek at easement for Greenway Trail pass through. Mill Road Park

Cazenovia Creek edge wher proposed trail would be located

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 177 Greenway Implementation Cazenovia Creek Map #25A - Cazenovia Creek Trail Segment #3CAZ

178 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Cazenovia Creek Map #25B - Cazenovia Creek Trail Segment #3CAZ

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 179 Greenway Implementation

Length in Length Development Greenway Linear Feet in Miles Cost per Costs – Category – Cazenovia – Cazenovia linear foot Cazenovia Creek Trail Creek Trail Creek Trail

On-Road Shared 67,726 12.83 $1.65 $10,664.00 Bike/Hike Lane*

Off-Road Bike/ 11,803 2.24 $60.00 $708,180.00 Hike Path*

Soft Foot Path 11,456 2.17 $11.30 $129,452.80

Total Costs for Cazenovia Creek Trail $848,296.80

*Trail lengths include existing LOS designated roads with bike lanes and Trails at West Seneca Soccer Complex and Houghton College – development costs for the trail does not include existing LOS designated roads with bike lanes and Trails at West Seneca Soccer Complex and Houghton College

180 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation 8. DESIGN GUIDELINES The following Guidelines were prepared by the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® under contract with the City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency and were used in the development and documentation of the 1996 Buffalo River Greenway Plan and Design Guidelines. The Guidelines included in the 1996 Greenway Plan were the result of several years of study of the Buffalo River and its neighborhoods including the 1989 Buffalo River Remedial Action Plan (RAP). While developing the 1996 Plan, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® worked, and continues to work, closely with city, county and state governments and agencies, with property owners and private developers on Buffalo River planning issues. These Guidelines were integrated with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. The main emphasis of these Guidelines is to promote development that is sensitive to community and environmental needs and concerns along the Buffalo River waterfront, including Cazenovia, Buffalo and Cayuga Creeks, through the City of Buffalo, Cheektowaga and West Seneca.

The Guidelines, as they are, can be used for review of proposed developments and site plans for the Buffalo River, Cazenovia, Buffalo, and Cayuga Creeks, by the City Planning Board, Department of Community Development, Common Council and any other review agencies.

The following pages are a summary of the Guidelines established in the 1996 Greenway Plan.

8.1 BUFFALO RIVER GREENWAY TRAIL GUIDELIENS These Trail guidelines are derived from the 1996 Plan which refers primarily to the 1994 Buffalo River Greenway Study, which was generated from The City of Buffalo Waterfront Greenway System as well as the review of several other documents including the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. The Greenway Trail should be sited within the 100-foot City setback law but out of the protected 50-foot River Buffer Yard, and sited wherever possible, preferably along the creeks, through Cheektowaga and West Seneca The Trail should be sited as to not disturb any vital, intact native riparian vegetation as to not impact stormwater filtration, bank stabilization and wildlife habitat The Trail will be sited in some areas along the River and Creeks edge at various points with trails and overlooks (designed not to disturb or impact native vegetation and habitat drastically if at all), through existing parks and marinas and at various bridge crossings, and where existing access precluded a vegetative buffer Design and landscaping guidelines can be obtained from The City of Buffalo Waterfront Greenway System, which refer to width, type of surfaces and clearances in “Design Guidelines and Performance Standards” Where ever possible, a tree canopy should be maintained over the main Trail and side paths so the trail blends in with the surrounding environment, provides shade for trail users, reduces the heat island effect, and helps reduce erosion There is existing parking lots for Greenway Trail users at Erie Basin Marina, and at Stachowski and Cazenovia Parks. Additional, but limited parking should also be provided at neighborhood parks, as well as at the access points to the Trail at Ohio Street, Smith Street and Bailey Avenue. Parking can also be provided at Community Centers and at some of the larger commercial districts throughout Cheektowaga and West Seneca with permission

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 181 Greenway Implementation Signage and trail furniture should conform to or adapt and enhance the system that was developed for the entire City of Buffalo Waterfront Greenway System, pending approval on any adapted signage and furniture designs The Trail is designed and meant to be used from dawn to dusk, as are most parks and public open spaces throughout the project area. Lighting should only be incorporated and used on the trail in downtown areas, where there are known safety problems, in commercial areas adjacent to the Greenway, and at street and bridge crossings to enhance the visual access to and of the waterways at night. Lighting of the trail should not take place as to discourage trail users past appropriate hours All Trail designs, access points, new parks and Conservation Areas should include handicap accessible areas and provide signage for people with visual disabilities as well to help ease in the use of the trail by all. All Trail, signage and amenity designs will comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards The Greenway Trail needs to be maintained to help ensure safety and security of Trail users and ensure the health of the surrounding habitats and ecosystems. Maintenance can be done through a joint effort of the city’s police, Public Works, and Parks departments, as well as with other appropriate Erie County agencies, non-profit groups and community and citizen action groups

8.2 GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR BUFFALO RIVER WATERFRONT DISTRICT 8.2.1 – Parking Lot Guidelines For non-water dependent uses Parking lots (over 3 spaces) shall be a minimum of 100 feet landward of mean water line Porous or unpaved parking lots shall be used instead of impervious pavement where ever possible Where paved parking lots are necessary, retention and filtration means shall be incorporated within the parking lot and site to capture and filter runoff before it is discharged into the River. This is in accordance with DEC General Permit guidelines for stormwater runoff and can be done through vegetation, drainage swales and retention areas 50-foot vegetated buffers shall be established between parking lots and/or between parking lots and buildings on adjacent properties (25-foot vegetated buffer to each lot) Parking lots shall have planting islands throughout the parking lot sized a minimum of 170 square feet per 20 parking spaces. This helps to reduce the heat island affect and reduce the amount of runoff and filters any runoff from the parking lot Most of the landscape treatment for buffers, parking lots and island plantings shall be trees, which are not only aesthetically pleasing but help to reduce the heat island affect All trees used for planting and incorporated into existing sites as well as new designs shall be a minimum 3 inch caliper, 3 inches in diameter at the base, maximizing the benefits of the trees as soon as they are planted

182 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation For water-dependent uses General guidelines for non-water dependent uses shall be followed, except that parking lots shall be a minimum of 50 feet landward from mean water line (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.2.2 Stormwater Runoff Guidelines Site grading and drainage shall be designed so that as much runoff as possible infiltrates on site reducing the amount of pollution and runoff into the River. Development during or after construction activity should not create a net increase in the amount of stormwater runoff generated by a site. Use permeable pavement, directing runoff to vegetated buffer strips, and avoiding the use of curbs, gutters and impervious materials to the maximum extent possible to help reduce channeling water, increasing water velocity, erosion impact on runoff locations as well as the amount of pollution Plans for sites, 5-acres or larger, should reflect full compliance with DEC General Permit guidelines for pollution control from storm water discharges. These include control of runoff from impervious surfaces through containment and filtration of “first flush” stormwater which may contain 70% to 90% of runoff contamination. Also required are storm water pollution prevention plans that protect the River from any increase in turbidity, suspended or settleable solids, oils, or grease. (See Reducing the Impacts of Stormwater Management from Nonpoint Discharges (DEC, 1992) and SPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activities (DEC, 1993)) (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.2.3 Buffers Between Uses Vegetative buffers have extreme benefits and should be incorporated and required between land uses, to both help provide screening between uses, noise reduction, runoff filtration of pollutants and habitat value. Where one of the uses is prior existing, 100% of the buffer should be established by the new use. Roadways, alleys, driveways and parking lots do not count as buffers. 50 feet of vegetative buffer between industrial lots (25 feet to each) 75 feet of vegetative buffer between industrial and commercial uses (50 feet to industrial use and 25 feet to commercial) 100 feet of vegetative buffer between industrial and residential uses (75 feet to industrial use and 25 feet to residential) (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.2.4 Access All new development should integrate public access concerns to the maximum extent possible for each site and situation. Where a water-dependent structure or use interferes with greenway trail placement in the Open Space Yard, alternative routes or paths through or around the site should be considered within the site plan review process. Buffer areas between neighboring properties may be used to accommodate the greenway trail, or neighborhood access to the River

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 183 Greenway Implementation Visual access should be accommodated with building designs and site plans that preserve or enhance public view corridors to the riverbanks. Pedestrian overlooks should be incorporated at the foot of new and existing neighborhood streets that terminate at the River. On-road scenic/interpretive points along the River should be incorporated. Some areas for these interpretive points include the foot of Hamburg Street and Smith, as well as several off-road sites near Katherine, Seneca and Archer Streets and Bailey Avenue (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.2.5 Bridges and Street Lanes New and or improved, repaired bridges throughout the project area should be designed to include pedestrian overlooks as well as pedestrian/bicycle lanes. Side rails and guards should be designed for both pedestrian safety as well as visual access to and along the River for all users of the bridge New and or improved, repaired streets throughout the project area should include dedicated pedestrian/bicycle lanes in keeping with intermodal transportation emphasis by state and federal highway departments All bridges and significant architectural features and structures should be outlined with lights to help enhance the night-time waterfront experience while providing safety for both pedestrians and residential neighborhoods (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.2.6 Hazardous Waste Stricter standards of hazardous waste remediation should be pursued in the Project Area. Removal is preferred over containment or capping of hazardous sites, except where the DEC or other responsible agencies assess that the potential risks or environmental degradation associated with the removal of such hazardous wastes to be greater than the benefits In areas where hazardous wastes are contained and treated on site, the site should and needs to be monitored to insure safety and should and needs to be restored for wildlife uses to greatest extent possible. Lawn areas over capped areas should be avoided due to their high maintenance needs and low ecological value. Instead native grasses and wildflower mixes should be used. Mowing of these sites should be eliminated all together or if needed should take place after nesting season of birds, around mid-July. Where ever possible, shoreline wetlands should be established within contained areas. In order to increase habitat potential of capped areas native trees and shrubs need to be planted around the perimeters of capped areas Following the results of recent research, trees and shrubs do not penetrate clay caps over land fills, meaning hazardous waste containment areas using clay caps should be planted with trees and shrubs to improve visual aesthetics and habitat value, unless the DEC alters regulations regarding this issue Phytormediative plants should be incorporated into all hazardous waste sites, whether they are being removed, cleaned up or capped to help aid in the clean up of contaminated sites, provide habitat value and secure and protect the spread of contaminates into surrounding sites (Greenway Plan 1996) 184 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation 8.2.7 Pesticides Any use of pesticides should conform to guidelines issued by the City of Buffalo’s Pest Management Board. Integrated pest management (limited application of chemicals timed to insect life cycles) and hardier native plant materials should be used to minimize pesticide use (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.3 DESIGN GUIDELINES BY PROPOSED LAND USE TYPES The following information defines and describes various types of land use areas and patterns that exist within the Greenway Project Area. These areas range from limited development and conservation areas, to high development commercial and industrial areas. It is important to understand the functioning, use and political jurisdiction or ownership of each area. This understanding helps when parcels of land are either redeveloped or reclassified and where certain heavy uses should take place.

8.3.1 Conservation Area Conservation Areas are protected vegetated areas whose primary uses are to provide water and air quality restoration, flooding and erosion control, wildlife habitat, and a quality environment for passive recreational uses such as bird-watching, nature study, fishing, and hiking where trails are provided. The designation of an area as a Conservation Area is based on a number of conditions including, but not limited to: The area is under public ownership or easement The area has existing habitat value, specifically a diversity of indigenous species The area is unique or rare compared to the areas surrounding it, such as wetlands or riparian forests The area provides linkages between key habitats and areas as well as linkages to the River The area buffers an existing or proposed unique habitat

Within Conservation Areas new or expanded uses should always comply with setback guidelines as well as the general design guidelines discussed above. Industrial, commercial and residential uses should never be allowed within Conservation Areas, and any prohibited uses identified for the River Buffer Yard should not be implemented. In addition to prohibiting development, public access should also be limited to overlook areas that are designed and placed to do the least amount of harm and disturbance to the Conservation Area. These overlooks should be accessed only by soft (unpaved) or structured (boardwalk) trails. Any additional recreational development should be limited to signage, limited unpaved parking (outside of any sensitive areas) and other amenities that may be needed or required for public use. Trail placement should be designed to limit the impact they have on habitat and should be designed to discourage exploration off the path by trail users. Wherever possible, bank armoring and bank fill should be removed and a more naturalized shoreline should be established with a maximum 33% slope. Creation of shoreline wetlands and shallows should be incorporated and encouraged. This will help slow and filter runoff, protect banks from erosion and undercutting, and providing habitat value, birding, and recreational fishing. Vegetation is a key element within Conservation Areas and any and all existing native and non-nuisance vegetation should be preserved and protected from use and Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 185 Greenway Implementation development. Any invasive non-native species should be removed and replaced with native species. Over the long-term the replacement of native species to the area will help increase the benefits to wildlife and their habitat. Vegetation can also be used to help control and limit the use of the Conservation Area. Barberries, small shrubs with thorny branches can be used to keep trail users on paths, while wildflowers, grasses and lower shrubs can be used in areas to provide views. Any long-term maintenance should include monitoring by the City of Buffalo’s Environmental Management Council and other local agencies and municipalities within West Seneca and Cheektowaga to help determine the success of the conservation efforts in place and to provide strategies for improvements. (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.3.2 Recreation Areas Any new and or expanded recreational uses should comply with the setback and general design guidelines as discussed above. As with the Conservation Areas, industrial, commercial and residential uses should never be allowed within Recreation Areas. In addition, the prohibited uses listed under the Open Space Yard should also never be implemented within Recreation Areas. All existing native vegetation should be preserved within existing and proposed recreational areas and any new and planted landscaped areas should incorporate native vegetation to increase the benefits to wildlife. Recreational areas should also incorporate a balance between hard surfaces (sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, and parking) with soft surfaces (trails, vegetation and picnic areas). This will help reduce runoff and balance high impact areas with low impact passive areas to allow for the least amount of disturbance to vegetation and wildlife. (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.3.3 Residential Areas New and or expanded residential uses should comply with setback and general design guidelines as discussed above. No building permits should be issued to expand or rebuild existing uses which will encroach upon the River Buffer Yard unless it can be shown that existing site constraints require the encroachment upon the River Buffer Yard. Within Residential Areas no new industrial uses are permitted.

The following design guidelines focus on infill of one and two-family homes and small scale developments (up to 4 units) designed to reflect the unique visual and environmental characteristics of existing and surrounding project area neighborhoods. Traditional subdivisions on existing large tracts of riverfront land are discouraged New development should respect land use constraints such as, but not limited to, the 100-year floodplain, soil contamination from past industrial uses or lack of public sewer and/or water to support the amount of development Existing plans for uncompleted subdivisions in the Project Area should be reconsidered for more appropriate designs Where higher density housing is desired, such as senior citizen housing, it should be clustered or stacked in a manner that allows public access to and along the River and shall be subject to the same minimum open space requirements as commercial and industrial uses 186 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Greenway Implementation Building elevations facing the River should not exceed 3 stories or 40 feet Residential infill should maintain as much of the existing vegetation as possible and replace as much impacted or removed vegetation as possible with comparable native vegetation where possible Vegetative buffers should be maintained between residential neighborhoods and adjacent land uses to a minimum 100 feet as discussed earlier (Greenway Plan 1996)

8.3.4 Commercial and Industrial Areas Water dependent and water enhanced structures are encouraged throughout the Greenway Project Area, however, new or expanded uses should comply with setback and general design guidelines as discussed above. Building permits will not be issued to expand or rebuild existing non-water dependent and non-water enhanced uses which encroach upon the required River Buffer and Open Space Yards, unless as with the residential areas, it can show that existing site constraints require the continued encroachment upon these Yards. There are two areas along the Buffalo River that are already heavily used for industrial use. These two areas are from the Michigan Avenue bridge east to the Katherine Street Peninsula and the north bank from “Red Jacket Peninsula” east to Bailey Avenue.

When adjustments to existing commercial and industrial areas take place, as well as any new development, the following guidelines should be followed and incorporated into the re-design and new design: A minimum of 20% of the total lot area should be landscaped, this includes buffers, setbacks and trail areas, but does not include parking lots Water-dependent uses that require building at the shoreline need to preserve 20% of the natural features and/or promote public access to the greatest extent possible Native species should be planted in commercial and industrial areas to help naturalize the site into the surrounding area Manicured lawns and landscapes should be restricted to street frontage only for corporate or public functions Vegetative buffers need to be maintained as discussed above, 75-feet between industrial and commercial uses, and 100-feet between industrial and residential Buildings need to be sited to provide maximum visual access to the waterfront No continuous façade obstructing a public view of the River should exceed 400- feet in length Wherever possible, buildings and structures should be screened to views from the River as to maintain a natural shoreline character from the riverbank Unsightly riverside treatments facing the River should be avoided, such as blank walls, chain-link and barbed wire fences, billboards and other free-standing commercial signs Security fencing when needed and required should be screened with vegetation

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 187 Greenway Implementation Parking, storage and loading areas, vents, dumpsters and other mechanical devices should be sited away from public areas and views, or if still visible need to be screened with native vegetation or a fence designed and constructed of materials that are consistent with the surrounding character and natural environment In riverside areas where public access is not feasible, barriers of thorny shrubs should be considered over security fencing for visual security, if security fencing is needed it should be screened with native vegetation When the Greenway Trail exists next to an occupied building, the building should provide the greatest possible visual access to the trail to provide visual surveillance and security of trail users

Building Floor Area Ratio (FAR) The following information pertains to commercial, industrial, and high density residential buildings that occupy waterfront lots, particularly new construction. Building lots where the buildings maintain the 50-foot River Buffer Yard within the 100-foot setback requirement, as discussed in these and the 1996 Plan guidelines, should have a FAR of .75 Building lots that follow the City required 100-foot setback should have a FAR of 1.00 Once an easement has been granted to the City or non-profit group, the buildings are set back the 100-feet from the River, as well as setback from the side yards to provide vegetated buffers and/or landscaping as discussed above, the FAR will increase 1% for every additional foot of side yard (Greenway Plan 1996)

188 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan APPENDIX/BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. EXISTING GREENWAY RESOURCES pg. 191 A.1 LAND USE AND ZONING pg. 191 A.2 CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES pg. 195 AND HABITAT AREAS A.2.1 Vegetative Cover A.2.2 Critical Areas: Birding, Wetlands, Rare and Endangered, Fish Birding Wetlands Rare and Endangered Plants and Wildlife Flood Zones, Floodplains and Shorelines A.3 UTILITIES pg. 203 A.4 ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS pg. 203 A.4.1 Areas Prone to Flooding and Erosion A.4.2 Brownfields including Hazardous Waste/Contaminated Sites Brownfields A.4.3 SPDES Permits Combined Sewer Overflows, Industrial Discharges and Water Quality A.2.4 Major Industries B. PROHIBITED USES pg. 209 C. PHYTOREMEDIATION pg. 213 D. BUFFALO RIVER PAPER STREETS: A STATUS REPORT pg. 215 February 2002, Draft 2 D.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY pg. 215 D.2 INTRODUCTION pg. 216 D.3 METHEDOLOGY pg. 216 D.3.1 Warranty Deed D.3.2 Eminent Domain D.3.3 Council Resolution D.3.4 Subdivision/Cover Map & City Charter pg. 218 D.4 THE PAPER STREETS D.4.1 Map D.4.2 Summary FIGURES Figure A.1 - Floodplains & Federal & State Wetlands pg. 200 Figure A.2 - Site Map Showing Environmental Hazards pg. 207 Figure D.1 - Paper Streets pg. 218

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 189 190 Appendix A A. EXISTING GREENWAY RESOURCES The following lists and explains some of the current land uses, patterns, cultural, natural and wildlife areas throughout the project area. These elements are important to understand and analyze for:

Development and placement of the Greenway Trail Establishment of Conservation Areas, which may require rezoning or easements Development of commercial and retail area, understanding where to allow them and how to design them

Analyzing this information assisted in the development of the 1996 Greenway Plan and the 2005 Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP). Analyzing existing conditions has also helped establish priority lists and has helped achieve some of the plans and recommendations found in the 1996 Greenway Plan, such as the adopted 100 foot setback in 2001, the establishment and dedication of Times Beach Nature Preserve and the progress on Old Bailey Woods Park.

The following data has been obtained through digital geographic data (GIS) from various local, state and federal agencies including Erie County Water Authority and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the 1996 Greenway Plan, the 1997 Buffalo and Cayuga Creeks Corridor Restoration Study, the 2004 Draft Town of West Seneca Comprehensive Plan, and the 1999 Town of West Seneca Municipal Open Space and Greenway Protection Report.

A.1 LAND USE AND ZONING The following data for Buffalo has been obtained and analyzed from GIS data as well as the 1996 Plan. The information for West Seneca has been R-1 – Single-family Residential obtained from the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study, R-2 – Two-family Residential and used information provided by representatives R-3 – Condominium/Townhouse of each town, which has since been analyzed and R-4 – Medium Density Housing confirmed through GIS data for this Plan. For R-5 – High Density Housing/Hotel current land use information and maps refere to the Erie County Internet Mapping Project at http: C-1 – Limited/neighborhood //erie-gis.co.erie.ny.us/website/erie_help/help.htm Commercial C-2 – Commercial Buffalo Sub-District CM – Commercial Manufacturing When analyzing the area of the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek it is more beneficial to M-1 – Limited Industrial look at the Sub-areas as identified and described M-2 – Light Industrial earlier. However, there are several dominating M-3 – Heavy Industrial zoning features that are common through out the project area; these include areas zoned for PB – Parking Building industrial, ranging from light limited industrial to heavy industrial, and many parcels of land that Zoning Code and Classification are currently vacant. The following is information pertaining to each Sub-Area and includes information on land ownership, zoning and land vacancy: Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 191 Appendix A Inner and Outer Harbor Sub-Area Much of the land in and around the Inner Harbor is owned by the City and is under development to enhance public park space and access while enhancing surrounding commercial development. The main uses and zoning include parks and recreation, commercial and a long section of land adjacent to the river that is currently vacant. There are three principal land owners within the Outer Harbor; they include the City, the Coast Guard and the NFTA who own more than 75% of the land within the Outer Harbor. Most of this land is vacant with a few designated parks including an area on the Coast Guard property, Times Beach Nature Preserve, the Outer Harbor Waterfront Trail and part of the Shoreline Bike and Pedestrian Trail. The Pier Festival Grounds contains the only commercial structure in the area.

Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area There are several different land owners, land uses and zoning areas within this Sub-Area. Some of the main land owners include private ownership and industrial. The narrow section of land, 300 feet wide on average, from Michigan Street Bridge to the DEC canoe launch between the River and Ohio Street is privately owned and is dominated by parking lots. The area upstream from the DEC canoe launch is primarily industrial and is dominated by grain elevators. The Katherine Street peninsula is broken up into seven industrial owners with a small 4.8-acre parcel at the southeast tip owned by the City. There are small pockets of vacant land, homes and parcels throughout the Sub-Area with some substantially large parcels on Katherine Street peninsula where the active Conrail line divides the area. The entire area is serviced and is currently zoned for M-1, M-2 and M-3 uses. The two dominating land uses around Tifft and the land south of the Buffalo River within this area include the grain elevators, Cargill Electric, American, Lake & Rail and Standard, and the 264-acre Tifft Nature Preserve. A large section of the area also includes the Concrete Central Peninsula owned by Conrail. The Concrete Central grain elevator is owned by the City. This Sub-Area is also dominated by active railroad lines. Despite the fact that Concrete Central and Cargill no longer function there is little vacant land in this Sub-Area. The entire area, including Tifft Nature Preserve, is zoned as M-3 and is completely serviced except the Concrete Central Peninsula which is not serviced by sewer, water or roads.

Valley/Steelfields Sub-Area In addition to the area bordered by active rail corridors, there are three prime land holders along the northern side of the Buffalo River. They include the City, NFTA and the industrial land holder Buffalo Color Corporation on the “Red Jacket Peninsula”. Buffalo Color Corporation includes a 19-acre hazardous waste remediation site. The remaining parcels of the area are in private residential ownership. There are several larger sections of land that are either vacant or not in active use. The entire area is serviced and is one of the most diversely zoned areas including shoreline parcels zoned as M-2 and M-3, residential areas all zoned as R-2 and a two block section surrounding the intersection of Smith Street and South Park zoned as C-2. Much of the land on the southern side of the River is vacant, including the 90-acre Old Republic Steel site. The

192 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix A dominating riverside landowners where the land isn’t vacant include the railroads and the City and private business owners to Bailey Avenue whose uses and business include construction debris processing and salvage yards. The site has undergone remediation by the DEC. The entire area is serviced and is currently only zoned for M-1 and M-2 uses.

Seneca Babcock Sub-Area There are only a few small pockets of vacant land within this area, one of the larger parcels lies along the Buffalo River. Riverside land owners include the City and two heavy industrial owners, Mobil Oil and PVS Chemicals on Lee Street. Their main land uses along the River include chemical manufacturing and oil storage. There is also a Buffalo Sewer Authority pumping station within the area. The entire area is fully serviced and zoned for M-3 uses.

Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area The upper Buffalo River is dominated by residential and is one of the few areas with park space adjacent to the Buffalo River. The City owns several large tracts of land that are also adjacent to the River. Some of these City-owned parcels include an area just east of Bailey on the north bank, land east of Seneca Bridge extending along the south bank, Stachowski Park and extension, north bank between Stachowski Park and east to the City line to a depth of 100 -400 feet, and a large parcel between Pawnee Place, Mineral Springs Road and the Conrail right-of-way (which is no longer in use), on the south bank. Some other large land holders include Conrail, South Ogden Estates which is a private business, and Niagara Mohawk. There are several areas of vacant land and parcels including areas adjacent to the River, close to the City line. The area upstream from Seneca is primarily residential and is zoned as R-2. Some of the exceptions within this area include the north bank from Stachowski Park to the Sub-area’s western border which is zoned as M-1 and M-2, and the land adjacent to Seneca Street and the south bank adjacent to City land east of Seneca Street are both zoned as R-5. The entire area is serviced except for the City owned parcel on the south bank east of Seneca and the Conrail, South Ogden Estates which are not serviced by sewer or water. Niagara Mohawk currently follows the Conrail right-of-way with power lines. The entire area surrounding Cazenovia Creek, within Buffalo, is dominated by residential, mainly consisting of one and two-family houses, zoned as R-2, with only two areas zoned as R- 5. These two areas include Cazenovia Street at North Legion Drive and Cazenovia Street at Cumberland. The dominating feature of the area is Cazenovia Park, an Olmsted Park, which Cazenovia Creek runs through. The entire area is serviced and there is very little vacant parcels, most of which are vacant homes and house lots.

Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District The land use and zoning information for Cheektowaga and West Seneca consists primarily of residential and commercial. It is most beneficial though to analyze the land use and zoning directly adjacent to each Creek to better understand the impact each use and zone has on the public use and environmental health of the Creeks.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 193 Appendix A Cayuga Creek Sub-Area Within the Cayuga Creek project area there are approximately 8 zoning classifications, including residential, commercial, and one undeveloped manufacturing zone, along with several community services, and recreational/entertainment areas. There are some areas that have substantial amounts of vacant land, either public, non-recreational, or private, adjacent to Cayuga Creek. These areas include; 25-acres adjacent to JFK High School on Cayuga Creek Road, 25-acres of former railroad right-of-way crossing over Rowley Road, 70-acres adjacent to and southwest of Stiglmeier Park on Losson Road, 15-acres near Como Park Boulevard and Indian Road inside the river bend, and 55-acres that include wetlands and archaeological remains at a stormwater overflow retention site off of Cayuga Creek Road. There is also an additional 75 acres of vacant land along Indian Road as well as other smaller sections of land throughout Cheektowaga’s project area. Within the project area there is limited public service right-of-ways taking up land and Creek frontage and access. The majority of the project area is comprised of residential; approximately 85% of the project area is made up of densely developed residential neighborhoods and structures with narrow lots, approximately 70-feet wide, but deep from 150-feet to 300-feet long, usually with the creek defining the back property line. Some areas of higher density and proximity to the creek include two mobile home parks, Carefree near Union and Losson Roads and Shady Acres north of Old Union Road, as well as two residential subdivisions, Danforth near Como Park Boulevard and Indian Road and Rowley Hollow off of Rowley Road. Cayuga Creek has a substantially greater proportion of commercial development than Buffalo Creek, both in terms of percent-area and the number of parcels. The main commercial/industrial districts are located along several main arterials including Clinton Street near Harlem Road, Union Road near William Street and within the vicinity of Como Park Boulevard and Bennett and Indian Roads. The creek also passes through one manufacturing zone east of Indian Road north of Rowley Road.

Buffalo Creek Sub-Area Within the Buffalo Creek project area there are several different land uses and zoning classifications. The majority of the project area, approximately 85%, is densely developed residential. It has a greater proportion of residential lots than Cheektowaga, both in terms of percent area and number of parcels, yet are configured the same way in terms of width and depth. Some of the residential areas with higher density and greater impacts on Buffalo Creek include one mobile home park near Old Union Road and French Road, and three residential subdivisions, Lexington Green off Mineral Springs Road, an unnamed subdivision off Seneca Creek Road, and the Casimer Street subdivision off Clinton Street near Buffalo’s City line. There is also a large settlement known as Ebenezer in the vicinity of Clinton, Union and Indian Church Roads. The only agricultural lands exist in an area known as “Gardenville” in the vicinity of Clinton and French Roads, as well as commercial nurseries, and several hundred acres of strawberry fields that abut Buffalo Creek for several thousands of feet. The remaining land within the project area is commercial and/or manufacturing/industrial, and some small vacant parcels totaling considerably less land than Cheektowaga’s vacant land. Some of the major manufacturing districts are located in the area of Mineral Springs Road and Indian church Road, and the area west of the NYS Thruway. The main commercial districts run

194 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix A perpendicular to the creek along roads that cross over the creek such as Harlem Road, Transit Road and Southgate Plaza along Union Road. There are approximately 90- acres of substantial vacant land found with the West Seneca project area. Five parcels, approximately 10-acres each, are within the vicinity of the Buffalo Creek and Cayuga Creek confluence, and four parcels, approximately 10-acres each, in the vicinity of Clinton Street and Union Road.

Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area The land uses and zoning within the Buffalo Creek project area are very similar to those within the Cazenovia Creek project area. The majority of the project area is dominated by dense residential with several strong, highly successful and highly used commercial sections. The dominating commercial center is the Southgate Plaza, the main anchor of the business district on Union Road, which has a variety of shops, services and over 100 office and retail tenants. There is a railroad/Niagara Mohawk corridor that crosses over the project area. There is also a strong core of industrial use between Potters Road and Cazenovia Creek close to the Buffalo city line. A large section of land around East and West Roads, known as the West Seneca Developmental Center, is currently used for government/public use. There are also some smaller parcels of land adjacent to the Creek that area also used for government/public use. The project area around Cazenovia Creek is slightly different from that surrounding Buffalo Creek in that there are more parks surrounding Cazenovia than Buffalo Creek, including a section of land adjacent to the creek known as West Seneca’s Soccer Complex.

A.2 CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES AND HABITAT AREAS The following information pertains to some of the unique and critical environmental features Additional information about the that exist with in the project area. These environmental conditions of the features include unique riparian and riverine Buffalo River can be found in the habitats as well as some unique and threatened 2005 Buffalo River Remedial Action species that have been identified in some of the Plan (RAP) Status Report Update. vegetative habitats, particularly the wetland areas surrounding Lake Erie and the Buffalo River. The following information is provided for assistance with prioritizing land to conserve, zoning and development decision-making, and support cleanup of any brownfield and contaminated sites that exist within these critical environmental features.

A.2.1 – Vegetative Cover While much of the Project Area within the City of Buffalo surrounding the Buffalo River consists of industrial and urban development, little vegetative cover, especially any historical vegetation, remains. However, some of the limited vegetative areas that do remain include some of the most unique vegetative habitats and covers. This vegetative cover provides important habitat for wildlife, including some threatened species rare in the area.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 195 Appendix A Buffalo Sub-District There are several dominating vegetative features of the Buffalo River. These include a dominance of invasive species, primarily Japanese knotweed, transitional fields, wetland habitats and forest areas. Each Sub-Area however, has unique vegetative features. The following is information pertaining to each Sub-Area:

Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area Transitional fields and emergent woodlands exist at the southern end of the Katherine Street peninsula. Old pilings that still remain off shore of the north bank of the River are also critical for providing vital habitat for waterfowl such as heron, shore birds and fish. The area is also dominated by the highly invasive Japanese knotweed which can damage flood defense structures, reduce biodiversity by out-shading native vegetation, overtake and reduce access to riverbanks for recreational use as well as environmental cleanup and inspection, increased flooding from dead stems from the invasive plant washing into the River. Removal of the plant can cause increased soil erosion especially in areas where it has established substantial stands in riparian areas, and it can be highly expensive to treat and eliminate. Much of the area south of the River around Tifft Nature Preserve is characterized with transitional fields. However, this area of the Buffalo River has some of the most diverse vegetative cover and habitat areas. There is a 75-acre cattail marsh, small freshwater ponds, old established fields, forested swamp areas, and shrubland areas. Concrete Central peninsula also provides one of the larger expanses of habitat areas that is surrounded by the River providing the most waterfront access and aquatic and habitat areas. The fact that the peninsula is currently unserviced by roads helps to ensure the protection and diversity of the areas vegetative cover and habitat.

Valley/Steelfields Sub-Area Area within the Valley community, primarily at the foot of Smith Street contains a strip of floodplain forest, a small wetland area as well as larger areas of transitional fields. While much of the former 90-acre Republic Steel site is barren form the shoreline to the top of the site, there is a floodplain forest of mature black willows with a thick and healthy understory of elderberry, mulberry and various other shrubs that exists on parcels to the west of Bailey Avenue. A healthy emergent cattail marsh is also found off the shoreline within a section of this area, despite filling activities that happen along the River in this area that impacts low-lying aquatic habitat areas.

Seneca Babcock Sub-Area Most of this area consists of industrial development with several chemical storage tanks along the River for Mobil Oil and PVS Chemicals. There are some smaller sections of transitional fields with patches of woodland areas located on City land to the eastern side of the Sub-area.

196 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix A Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor Sub-Area This area is a unique piece of land as it encompasses the confluence of the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek. As a result of this and an increased amount of residential within this area versus the previously seen industrial uses on pieces of land downstream on the River, much of the shoreline is naturally vegetated. There is a unique island wetland habitat east of Seneca Street. This area includes a high undercut bank which has a high number of bank swallows. There are two large areas of floodplain forest south of the River. One section is the County- owned Seneca Bluffs, the other is on the South Ogden Estates land east of Pawnee Place. Both areas are dominated by black willows; however the understory is being taken over by the highly invasive Japanese knotweed. Cazenovia Park, which takes up most of Cazenovia Creek as it flows through Buffalo, is a groomed park dominated by lawn areas, especially the golf course that exists within the park. The remaining land within this Sub-area is all residential, with more manicured suburban landscapes and trees and a high amount of mowed lawn areas.

Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District The Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District is dominated by suburban lawns, manicured landscape and commercial districts with limited, if any diversity in vegetative types. The following information looks at each individual creek and Sub-Area:

Cayuga Creek Sub-Area Most of the Project Area in Cheektowaga is suburban and commercial with large expanses of lawn and groomed landscaping. However there are large sections of woodland cover as well as some large continuous areas of floodplain forest and some smaller stands of floodplain forest with mature understory vegetation. Some of the larger areas of woodland and floodplain forest cover include the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, which is designated as a State Unique Area by the NYS DEC, Stiglmeier Park owned by the Town of Cheektowaga, Hawthorne Forest which is north of Rowley Road east of Indian Road bordering Depew, the 55-acre Cayuga Creek Nature Preserve owned by the Town of Cheektowaga off Cayuga Creek Road, as well as a 25-acre parcel of woodlands adjacent to JFK High School.

Buffalo Creek Sub-Area Most of the Project Area within West Seneca is similar to Cheektowaga with much of the vegetative cover consisting of suburban lawns and groomed landscaping. There are also a large number of farms adjacent to Buffalo Creek along Clinton Street. Some of the larger areas of woodland and floodplain forest cover are located within the vicinity of the Buffalo Creek and Cayuga Creek confluence, the oxbow near Clinton Street, as discussed earlier in Section II Greenway Planning History, and some smaller linear strips adjacent to the Creek where residential lots are not fully developed or cleared of existing vegetation.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 197 Appendix A Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area The area surrounding Cazenovia Creek is also dominated by suburban lawns and groomed landscaping. There are several large expanses of open areas with natural shore habitats and forest area adjacent to the Creek. The largest expanse of area is between Mill Road and Transit Road and consists of forest cover, mature understory and floodplain sections.

A.2.2 Critical Areas: Birding, Wetlands, Rare and Endangered, Fish Habitat

Birding There are two significant birding areas within the Buffalo project area, these include Times Beach Nature Preserve and Tifft Nature Preserve. As a result of its diverse vegetative cover and habitat and isolation from access and development, Concrete Central is also emerging as a significant feature with the increasing numbers of pheasants and the endangered peregrine falcon. The following information pertains to the two designated significant birding areas, Times Beach and Tifft Nature Preserves:

Times Beach Nature Preserve Although the area is man-made, it is one of the few sizeable wetland areas along the New York shoreline of Lake Erie and is a highly important birding area, lying on the North American Atlantic flyway for migratory birds. The variety of habitats and ecological communities attracts a diversity of species that are unusual in the region especially for an urban area (Coastal Fish and Wildlife Rating Form 1987).

Tifft Farm Nature Preserve The unique habitats within Tifft Nature Preserve also support a large quantity and diversity of birds, particularly in an urban area. Some of the common birds nesting in the area include pied-billed grebe, green-backed heron, the least bittern (a species of special concern), American bittern, mallard, blue- winged teal, Canada geese, Virginia rail, sora, common moorhen, American coot, American woodcock, spotted sandpiper, marsh wren, willow flycatcher, common-yellow throat, swamp sparrow, red-winged blackbird, and ring-necked pheasant. Black-crowned night herons can also be found in the area during nesting season. During migration waterfowl, shore birds and heron can all be found in the area including the threatened osprey (Coastal Fish and Wildlife Rating Form 1987).

Wetlands There are several wetland areas within the City of Buffalo Project Area classified both as state wetlands, by NYS DEC and federal wetlands classified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through their National Wetlands Inventory. The Buffalo River itself from just east of Seneca Street, at Pawnee, all the way downstream to the mouth of the River is classified as a wetland by the USFWS. The following describes, in greater detail, the Sub-areas where wetlands have been classified (Figure A.1, page 200):

198 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix A Inner and Outer Harbor Sub-Area Times Beach Nature Preserve, including the mouth of the Buffalo River is the largest section within this area classified as a wetland both by the NYS DEC and by the USFWS. There are several other small pockets of wetlands classified by USFWS throughout this area including a small section within the natural channel in the NFTA Outer Harbor, a larger area at the Small Boat Harbor as well as the break walls within the Lake.

Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area Much of this area, primarily Tifft Nature Preserve, is classified as wetlands, both by NYS DEC and by the USFWS. The 75-acre marsh within Tifft is part of the wetland designation as well as two wetland areas bordering Tifft on the south and east.

Cayuga Creek Sub-Area Within Cheektowaga and the Cayuga Creek Project Area there are several USFWS designated wetland areas. Most of these areas exist within the floodplain forest areas as listed in the vegetative cover section earlier on page 195. The largest wetland areas, which are also classified as NYS DEC wetlands, are located within Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. There is also a large area designated as both a USFWS and a NYS DEC wetland on Town of Cheektowaga land adjacent to Cayuga Creek north of Rowley Road.

Buffalo Creek Sub-Area Buffalo Creek in West Seneca has several smaller wetland areas. There are no NYS DEC designated wetlands along the Creek or surrounding area. The only USFWS designated wetland is the Oxbow area.

Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area There are several USFWS designated wetlands along Cazenovia Creek within West Seneca. The largest wetland area is just to the west of Houghton College’s main campus, on Houghton College property. The second largest wetland is downstream from here, just to the east of Orchard park Road.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 199 Appendix A

Figure A.1

200 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix A Rare and Endangered Plants and Wildlife There are several threatened species, primarily birds, that have been identified as being within the Buffalo River Project Area. Many of these species have been spotted at Times Beach and Tifft Nature Preserves. These include the osprey which is listed on the New York Threatened Species list, as well as two species of special concern within New York, the least bittern and Jeferson’s salamander. The least bittern and Jeferson’s salamander have been observed within Tifft, while the endangered peregrine falcon has been seen on the Concrete Central Peninsula. Any old growth floodplain forest should be protected.

Some of the State-ranked rare and uncommon species that are inhabitating or could potentially inhabit portions of the Project Areas within Cheektowaga and West Seneca include four mollusks, and one fish (Corridor Restoration Study 1997).

The New York Natural Heritage Program Rare Plant List, June 2005, lists several plants that are identified as being confirmed, probable or possible throughout Erie County as endangered, threatened, rare, exploitably vulnerable or unprotected. Many of these plants can be found throughout the Project Areas within Buffalo, Cheektowaga and West Seneca.

Flood Zones, Floodplains and Shorelines Within Buffalo, the areas immediately surrounding the Buffalo River are dominated by floodplain. Especially near the confluence of Cazenovia Creek and the Buffalo River. Much of the area is also characterized with armored and altered shorelines along the River. Cayuga, Buffalo and Cazenovia Creek are also dominated by floodplain areas. Most of the land directly adjacent to each Creek is within the 100-year floodplain with larger pockets of floodplain areas where the Creeks bend. The following includes detailed information regarding the landscape character of each Sub-area (Figure A.1, page 200).

Inner and Outer Harbor Sub-Area There are several areas within the 100-year floodplain including several areas within the NFTA Outer Harbor land, primarily adjacent to the water inlet that exists on the site. The other two areas that are situated with the 100-year floodplain include the small boat harbor and Times Beach Nature Preserve.

Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area Within this area the 100-year floodplain extends approximately 50 to 100 feet inland along a section of land between the Michigan and Ohio Street bridges. The 100-year floodplain also includes a section on the southeast and west corners of the Katherine Street peninsula. Much of the shoreline in this area is stabilized, to prevent erosion, with steel sheeting and/or riprap. Most of Tifft Nature Preserve, except for the mounded filled area, is in the 100-year floodplain. The eastern half of the Concrete Central Peninsula is part of the 100-year floodplain.

Valley/Steelfields Sub-Area A small section of land directly adjacent to the River in the western side of the Sub-area is within the 100-foot floodplain. This piece of land runs parallel to Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 201 Appendix A South Park, starts at the River and extends to an inactive railroad berm. “Red Jacket Peninsula has a small section of land directly adjacent to the River that is within the 100-year floodplain, the rest of the peninsula is within the 500-year floodplain. A small narrow section of land south of the River in the western section of this area is within the 100-year floodplain. Other sections of the area, primarily the eastern side of the sub-area adjacent to Bailey Avenue, are within the 500-year floodplain, where the floodplain forest exists. Much of the shoreline, 8 to 15 feet higher than water level, surrounding the old Republic Steel site is bulkheaded primarily with steel and some concrete, with several small areas where vegetation is growing again.

Seneca Babcock Sub-Area There are only small narrow sections of land directly adjacent to the River that lay within the 100-year floodplain. The rest of the area, about three quarters of the land, is within the 500-year floodplain. Most of this area is dominated by industrial uses and storage facilities such as PVS Chemicals and Mobil Oil.

Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area More than half of the area lies within the 100-year floodplain as a result of the confluence of Cazenovia Creek with the Buffalo River. The remaining area north of the River, not in the 100-year floodplain is within the 500-year floodplain, with only a small section of land south of the River in the 500-year floodplain. Most of the shoreline is in a natural vegetated state within this Sub-area. Most of the land around Cazenovia Creek is within the 100-year floodplain. Cazenovia Park itself is almost entirely within the 100-year floodplain, as is land adjacent to and extending up to 400 feet from Cazenovia Creek. There is a small pocket of land just north of the Park that lies within the 500-year floodplain. Cazenovia Creek is primarily a channelized creek consisting of a concrete culvert from the Park to the mouth of the Buffalo River to help control erosion and flooding within this area.

Cayuga Creek Sub-Area Most of the Project Area within Cheektowaga lies within the 100-year floodplain. There are two areas where the 100-year floodplain widens and extends further beyond the area directly adjacent to Cayuga Creek. These two areas are located adjacent to Stiglmeier Park and directly across from where Slate Bottom Creek enters into Cayuga Creek. There are some small pockets of land that sit within the 500-year floodplain. Many of these areas are developed including the “Carefree” mobile home park west of Losson and Union Roads and the business district at Clinton Street and Harlem Road.

Buffalo Creek Sub-Area Like Cayuga Creek most of the land directly adjacent to Buffalo Creek, within the West Seneca Project Area, sits within the 100-year floodplain. Some of the larger parcels of land in West Seneca within the 100-year floodplain are the lands directly south of the Buffalo River, between Cazenovia and Buffalo Creeks. There is a small section of land within the 500-year floodplain just west of 202 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix A Cayuga and Buffalo Creeks’ confluence. Some of the larger developments within this floodplain include a mobile home park, a residential district south of the oxbow on Clinton Street, and two business districts the one mentioned within Cheektowaga at Clinton Street and Harlem Road, and another one at Clinton Street and Transit Road.

Cazenovia Creek Sub-Area The lands, like Cayuga and Buffalo Creeks, directly adjacent to Cazenovia Creek are all within the 100-year floodplain. The lands closest to the City of Buffalo and Town of West Seneca contain the largest amounts of land within the 100-year floodplain. The West Seneca Soccer Complex, and adjacent lands to the west and south, is the largest amount of land within the floodplain. The land south of the Creek’s bend next to the intersection of Seneca Street and Ridge Road is also a large segment of floodplain.

A.3 UTILITIES Existing utilities, such as railways, power lines and corridors, and underground utilities such as sewer pipes often pose threats to the environment and restrict and limit the use of lands, often adjacent to the waterways, for recreational use and access. Many areas also lack service which can restrict redevelopment of areas for residential, commercial or industrial uses.

A.4 ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS The following information pertains to some of the known and/or potential hazards found within the project area. Many of these hazards pose threats and dangers to the environment, wildlife, water quality, and humans.

The following data for Buffalo has been obtained and analyzed from GIS data as well as the 1996 Plan. The information for West Seneca has been obtained from the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study, which used information provided by representatives of each town, and has since been analyzed and confirmed through GIS data for this Plan.

A.4.1 Areas Prone to Flooding and Erosion There are several areas throughout the entire Project Area starting from Buffalo and throughout Cheektowaga and West Seneca that are susceptible to erosion. Many of these areas along the Buffalo River are reinforced with steel sheeting, riprap and bulkheading to reduce the amount of erosion that takes place. While these are useful in reducing erosion, they alter the natural functioning of the River, impact habitat value for both on shore wildlife such as reptiles, mammals and shorebirds, and aquatic wildlife such as fish, amphibians and waterfowl, and are also visually unappealing. Erosion control can be done through planting and establishing of riparian habitat along the River banks. Unstable slag and fill contributes to some of the major erosion issues along the old Republic Steel site within Sub-area 11.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 203 Appendix A Areas throughout Cheektowaga and West Seneca that suffer from over development, excessive urban and stormwater runoff, and lack of established riparian vegetation are all also susceptible to erosion problems.

A.4.2 Brownfields including Hazardous Waste/Contaminated Sites

Brownfields There are over 2,000 acres of brownfields located throughout the City of Buffalo as a result of former industrial uses. Within the City of Buffalo there are over 60 contaminated sites identified in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) as well as over 20 sites on the New York State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites. As a result of these statistics the EPA Region 2 selected Buffalo for a Regional Brownfields Pilot to show how and promote the safe and appropriate reuse of the City’s brownfields. Through this Pilot a detailed inventory of 22 potential brownfield sites were identified (Regional Brownfields Assessment Pilot). As of 1999, approximately 200 acres of brownfields had already been reclaimed. One brownfield reclamation project included the establishment of the former Village Farms’ Hydroponics Tomato facility on South Park. The 25-acre site situated on the old LTV Republic Steel land underwent a petroleum clean-up from a 1.5 million gallon fuel oil spill that happened on the site. Another brownfield site that was cleaned-up and redeveloped is the Atlas Steel site which was developed with a new commercial development.

Cheektowaga and West Seneca have no known brownfields that exist within the Project Areas of Cayuga, Buffalo and Cazenovia Creeks.

The City of Buffalo Project Area has several hazardous waste sites both active and in- active along the Buffalo River. The following information comes from the 1996 Greenway Plan and the 1997 Corridor Restoration Study.

Old First Ward/Tifft Sub-Area There is one inactive hazardous waste site on the north bank of the River; the US Steel Eastern Limestone Division site is located at the southwest end of Katherine Street Peninsula. Tifft Nature Preserve and a long parcel of land to the east, bordered by Lehigh Valley Railroad are both listed as inactive hazardous waste sites due to low levels of organic and metal contamination found in the soil and ground water there.

Valley/Steelfields Sub-Area Buffalo Color Corporation’s hazardous remediation site, has been under remediation since 1997, has contaminated soil and groundwater with organic and inorganic materials, and is also listed on the Toxic Release Inventory. The DEC is nearing completion of the remediation project of the Steelfields at the former Republic Steel site.

204 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix A Seneca Babcock Sub-Area PVS Chemicals, listed in the Toxic Release Inventory, has a hazardous substance site located at the facility.

Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor Sub-Area An area at Stachowski Park is listed by the DEC as a hazardous waste site due to contaminated soils and groundwater from heavy metals and phenols. The area within Stachowski Park is an upstream parcel that was once a City-owned landfill from 1930-103, which received municipal, household and industrial waste and actually burned garbage there in the 1960s. The area is referred to as Houghton Park Inactive Waste Site.

Additional Facilities listed on the Toxic Release Inventory: (EPA) General Mills Safety-kleen Systems, Inc. Buffalo Color Corporation Mobil Oil Fiberright Manufacturing, Inc. Par foam Products, Inc. ADM Milling Corp. Sovereign Commercial Group, Inc. Con/Agra Mapleleaf Milling, Inc. Dinaire Corp. BOC Gases

Cheektowaga/West Seneca Sub-District There are three hazardous waste/contaminated sites within the Cheektowaga/ Cayuga Creek Project Area. They include the BFI Land Reclamation site which is currently closed and under further investigation by the DEC, Schultz Construction and Demolition which has been classified as posing no significant threat to the environment and public health, and a site on Union Road which has been remediated.

The only site within the West Seneca Project Area is the West Seneca Transfer Station which is an active site pending further investigation by the DEC.

A.4.3 SPDES Permits The Environmental Protection Agency has approved a program within New York State, in accordance with the Clean Water Act, for control of wastewater and stormwater discharges. The program, under New York State law, is known as the State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) which controls point source discharges to groundwater as well as surface water. Under SPDES, any source including private, commercial, and institutional, producing industrial and stormwater discharges into ground and surface water, such as the Buffalo River and Cazenovia, Cayuga and Buffalo Creeks need to obtain a permit (NYS DEC). Within the project area there are several SPDES permitted discharge locations, mostly combined sewer overflows with about five permitted industrial discharges. The following identifies some of these SPDES permits: Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 205 Appendix A Combined Sewer Overflows, Industrial Discharges and Water Quality There are several combined sewer overflows (CSOs) (Figure A.2, page 207) through the Project Area in Buffalo. The only areas that do not physically have CSOs are the Outer Harbor and Tifft Nature Preserve however the areas water quality and habitat are greatly impacted by any waste flow in the River from the upstream CSOs. There are three Sub-areas that have the most total CSOs within the project area. These include the Inner Harbor and the Upper Buffalo River/Cazenovia Corridor Sub-Area. The greatest concentration of them can be found on Cazenovia Creek at the confluence of Cazenovia Creek with the Buffalo River. This area has been targeted for habitat restoration, specifically “Bailey Avenue Peninsula” as discussed previously in Section II Greenway Planning History.

The five major industrial discharges permitted within the Buffalo River include, General Mills, Pillsbury, Buffalo Color Corporation, PVS Chemicals and Mobil Oil, all of which contribute to the poor water quality within the Buffalo River. Buffalo Color Corporation has worked to remediate their hazardous waste site since 1997. However, incorporating phytoremediative plants at the discharge site at Buffalo Color Corporation as well as at the other four sites, could help to not only cleanup the discharge directly into the River but can also clean up the site from any polluted surface and ground water.

Erosion within the River is another significant contributor to water quality problems. This can impair fish survival and propagation. Increased erosion levels can be caused by high amounts of run-off from developments, over compaction and high demand use of industries close to the streambank, and streambank modification. High amounts of nutrient flow also impacts water quality. This can be caused from invasive vegetation along the stream banks, over-mowing, and cutting of vegetation too close to the streambank where cuttings can enter into the River and contribute to increased nutrient levels.

Dredging of the River is also impairing the health, quality and functioning of the River. The River is currently dredged and maintained by the Army Corp of Engineers to a depth of 22 feet below low lake level datum because the River is considered a navigable channel, as defined by Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, up to Bailey Avenue and Mobil Oil. This dredging creates a reef drop off area within the River where the water flow and movement comes almost to a stop, meaning no water and oxygen circulation happens within the River. As a result of no water movement and oxygenation of the River this section of the River suffers and struggles to support aquatic and plant life. Dredging also stirs up contaminated sediment that has settled at the bottom of the River. Also, due to the slow River current and bends within the River, higher amounts of sediment get deposited in some of the most important habitat areas for fish and aquatic plants.

There are no permitted CSOs discharging into the Cayuga Creek within the Cheektowaga Project Area, however there are two located on Cayuga Creek upstream from Cheektowaga in Depew. There is also one permitted CSO discharge on Slatebottom Creek within Cheektowaga, approximately 1.5 miles upstream from its confluence with Cayuga Creek.

206 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix A

Figure A.2

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 207 Appendix A Water quality issues from erosion and nutrient problems are the same as mentioned above within Buffalo. Failing septic systems and untreated discharges from storm sewers are contributing to poor water quality within Cheektowaga. Water quality in Cayuga Creek in 1997, as assessed in Cheektowaga, has been rated as “fair” on the basis of macroinvertebrate data by the NYS DEC (1997 Corridor Restoration Study).

There are two permitted industrial discharges within the Cayuga Creek Project Area. These include Buffalo Crushed Stone which discharges waste waters from their mining operations into an open ditch along Como Park Boulevard, and a site identified as “Buffalo Plant”.

There are no permitted CSOs discharging into Buffalo Creek within the West Seneca Project Area. Most of the water quality issues within West Seneca stem from failing septic systems, agricultural practices on many of the strawberry fields adjacent to the Creek, and streambank modifications, as well as high nutrient levels from surrounding residential areas. This increased sedimentation and nutrient levels has shown to have restricted the fishery in portions of Buffalo Creek.

West Seneca has only one permitted industrial discharge within the Buffalo Creek project area. The site, National Starch and Chemical Corporation is located on Empire Drive 0.5 miles north of Buffalo Creek.

A.4.4 Major Industries As discussed throughout this Greenway Plan there are several major industries located throughout the Buffalo Project Area along the Buffalo River. Some of the larger industries are also some of the industries that cause environmental degradation to the Buffalo River. Some of the major industries include Buffalo Color Corporation, PVS Chemical, Mobil Oil, and General Mills. There are also many areas along the Buffalo River where buildings sit vacant from former industries, such as Old Republic Steel and Concrete Central.

Within the Cayuga Creek Project Area, the only major industry identified is, Buffalo Crushed Stone. The facility is a 160+ acre stone quarry located on Como Park Boulevard, approximately a quarter mile north of the Creek.

National Starch and Chemical is the only major industry identified within the Buffalo Creek Project Area. The facility is located approximately a half north of the Creek on Empire Drive.

208 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix B B. PROHIBITED USES

Buffalo River Sub-District Within the Buffalo River Sub-district, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and conservation uses are all permitted, except, upon analysis where certain activities should be limited based on the Guidelines as set forth below.

Prohibited Uses in the Buffalo River Sub-District: The following list includes uses and activities that should be prohibited, but not be limited to depending on further analysis of each specific site and parcel, from the Buffalo River Sub- district:

Automobile salvage yards, demolition debris processing facilities, junkyards, landfills, waste incinerators, and solid waste transfer facilities Underground storage or containment of petroleum products or hazardous chemicals Storage, use, manufacture or disposal of any of the 22 “bioaccumulative chemicals of concern” as listed in EPA’s 1995 Great Lakes Water Quality Initiative. These 22 chemicals are to be phased out completely from the Great lakes Basin

The Buffalo River Sub-district also includes three additional areas: the Open Space Yard (100- foot setback), River Buffer Yard, and Aquatic Area. (Greenway Plan 1996)

Open Space Yard (100-Foot Setback) The Open space Yard is defined as a riverside area of natural vegetation and potential public access, measured as a minimum distance 100 feet inland from mean waterline. This measurement and the defining of the Open Space Yard reflects the current land use patterns along the Buffalo River. This means that any new non-water dependent construction needs to be setback 100 feet from mean waterline. The main purpose of establishing and defining the Open Space Yard is to promote water-dependent and water-enhanced development adjacent to the river and to prevent development from degrading the water quality, habitat, aesthetics and/or public access potential of the water resource. (Greenway Plan 1996)

The 25’ setback, established in 1989 is from Ohio Street to Lake Erie and the mouth of the Buffalo River. The 100’ setback, established in 2001 is from Ohio Street to the Buffalo City line.

The definition of an Open Space Yard is based on current land use patterns and is a design recommendation for the Buffalo River Greenway. This recommendation and guideline was only recently adopted by the City of Buffalo in 2001. This Open Space Yard ensures that no building structure is allowed to be within 100-feet of the River, creating and protecting a vegetative buffer along the River’s edge which helps to filter storm water, prevent erosion, provide shoreline habitat and allows the ability to work with land owners in creating conservation easements along the River for public access.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 209 Appendix B River Buffer Yard The River Buffer yard is defined as an area of natural vegetation maintained or restored to a minimum depth of 50 feet measured inland from mean waterline. The River Buffer Yard is incorporated within the Open Space Yard and could actually be extended to the full 100 feet of the Open Space Yard in appropriate areas where trails and or other public access are not feasible. The main goal of establishing the River Buffer Yard is to prevent soil erosion and runoff from entering the River, while filtering out pollutants and protecting the River and water from the impacts of development. The River Buffer Yard is also designed to provide wildlife habitat, shade and screening. Native and naturalized, non-nuisance riparian and riverine vegetation and habitat should be conserved and supplemented in the River Buffer Yard. All of these steps and goals will generally help to restore a healthful and pleasant river environment. (Greenway Plan 1996)

Aquatic Area The Aquatic Area includes the area riverward from mean low waterline to a minimum depth of three feet. Where ever conservation plans and navigational dredging allow, shallow Aquatic Areas may be expanded or created beyond this established 3-foot minimum to enhance and help protect aquatic habitats. The purpose and goals of the Aquatic Area is to protect shallow water areas and aquatic habitats, including any sunken pilings and snags, which provide critical fish habitat and cover. Following the guidelines for the other Yards, some of the permitted uses include Municipal facilities such as water intakes and storm drain outlets, structures required for water-dependent uses, as well as removable docks and ramps for public access for fishing and boating.

Open Space Yard (100-foot setback) While no physical building/structures are allowed within the 100-foot setback along the river that are non-water dependent, there are several features and structures that are allowed. These include:

Water-dependent structures and uses Water-enhanced structures and uses Unpaved parking lots associated with water-dependent or water-enhanced uses Trailways, esplanades, overlooks, picnic shelters and other structures appropriate to passive recreational riverfront uses Access for non-water dependent uses Stormwater detention/retention

Prohibited Uses in an Open Space Yard: In addition to prohibiting the construction of physical building/structures that are non-water dependent, there are also several other uses and constructions of this area of riverfront that should not be permitted. These include:

All uses prohibited in the Buffalo River Sub-district, as listed above Non-water dependent or water-enhanced structures and uses including buildings, material storage, and paved parking lots. Exceptions must demonstrate a physical need for a structure or use within the Open Space Yard Sand and gravel excavation 210 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix B Dumping of snow and/or ice containing de-icing agents Bulk storage of salt, chemicals, or petroleum products Septic systems Filling without a permit (Greenway Plan 1996)

River Buffer Yard Within the River Buffer Yard there are several uses that are allowed, some of which are similar to the Open Space Yard. These permitted uses include:

Water-dependent structures and uses Municipal facilities such as water or sewage distribution systems A maximum of 10% of the River Buffer Yard on any parcel may be cleared to provide riverside access for any non-water dependent and non-water enhanced use Visual/physical access for water-enhanced uses provided that no more than 30% of the River Buffer vegetation on any parcel is cleared. Exceptions to this must demonstrate a physical need for and an existing structured condition which allows for a greater percentage of clearing as long as it does not compromise the goals and intent of the River Buffer Yard

In the above situation, where no more than 30% of the vegetation may be cleared exceptions can take place. However, these exceptions can only take place where there is an existing structured bank, in good condition and where public access is provided. This exception allows for a more urban park-like condition which includes a cleared understory with fewer ground cover and shrub plantings and more lawn areas. The tree canopy in this situation should be established and maintained to the maximum extent possible. Some examples of where this park-like condition could take place include sections of Cazenovia Creek, the Old Republic Steel frontage, or the Inner Harbor.

It is important when discussing the River Buffer Yard to discuss vegetation and bank treatment. Vegetation is a critical part of the River Buffer Yard and native and naturalized, non-nuisance vegetation should be preserved and/or planted throughout. Trees, understory shrubs and groundcovers that are planted should be chosen to reflect the structural diversity and complexity of the native riparian and riverine community. This will help to attract native fish, wildlife and plant species common to the area. Limited specie planting and monocultures should be avoided as they limit wildlife benefits and pose greater threat for destruction from disease and pollution.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 211 Appendix B Treatment of the River bank is also critical to the health of the River, water quality and habitat. Where ever feasible, the bulkhead should be removed and a more gradual bank slope should be established with a maximum 3 to 1 slope (33% slope is recommended). In areas where river bank slopes are steeper than 33% and river access is desired, structured access to the water should be built to help reduce erosion. This can be done through the construction of boat docks and/or fishing/overlook docks and areas. Stabilization of depositional banks can be done through grading, establishment of wetlands, plantings and other similar non-structural measures. In areas opposite, where erosion is resulting from river cutting, riprap should be used with incorporations of vegetation. Gabions should be encouraged instead of bulkheading because of the greater habitat value that riprap and gabions offer.

Prohibited Uses in the River Buffer Yard: The following uses that are prohibited are in addition to those identified under the Open Space Yard and the Buffalo River Sub-district:

Water-enhanced structures Clearing or cutting of native vegetation, except as discussed above with regards to clearing percentages, or by special permit Parking lots Paved trails, except the trails as provided and discussed within the Buffalo River Greenway Trail Guidelines ` (1996, Greenway Plan)

Aquatic Area

Prohibited Uses of the Aquatic Area: The following uses that are prohibited are in addition to those identified in the Buffalo River Sub-District, Open Space Yard and River Buffer Yard:

Dredging or excavation except by special permit Removal of pilings, snags and other vegetation (1996, Greenway Plan)

212 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix C C. – PHYTOREMEDIATION Phytoremediation can be a less costly alternative to manual soil remediation techniques including capping and removal and has a more naturalistic feeling that can be reminiscent of agricultural sites, as the plants harvest the toxins from the soil. Phytoremediation is the use of plants to draw contaminants out of the soil. Plants such as alfalfa, hybrid poplar trees, and arrowroot take in metals and organic compounds within the soil through their roots (Florio 2004). The contaminants the plants take up include TCE, pesticides, chlorinated solvents and oils. Below are some of the selected pros and cons associated with phytoremediation:

Advantages Phytoremediation is cost effective It is suited for the remediation of large areas of soil and land It is environmentally friendly Phytoremediation sites are more aesthetically pleasing The sites are low maintenance Phytoremediation sites provide habitat benefits and soil stabilization It involves no noisy and expensive equipment

Disadvantages Not as effective for sites with high contaminant levels and concentrations Phytoremediation is slower than conventional methods Not all plants may be native to an area and could cause impact to native species

Potential Plant List Hybrid poplars, willows and cottonwood trees Grasses (rye, Bermuda grass, sorghum, and fescue) Legumes (clover, alfalfa, and cowpeas) Aquatic and wetland plants (water hyacinth, reed, bullrush, and parrot feather) Hyperaccumulators for metals (such as alpine pennycress for zinc or alyssum for nickel) (EPA 2001)

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 213 214 Appendix D D. BUFFALO RIVER PAPER STREETS: A STATUS REPORT

Prepared by Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® (Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers) For the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning Draft 2 February 2002

D.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Paper streets form a series of access points along the otherwise inaccessible Buffalo River. If developed, these access points could offer neighborhood and city-wide public access to the River.

The Department of Strategic Planning in collaboration with the Waterfront Forum asked the Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers to prepare an inventory of the “paper streets” along the Buffalo River. In accordance with the scope of work outlined with the City of Buffalo, an inventory of the streets with recommendations for further action has been prepared.

In this context, a “paper street” is defined as one of the following: Streets never built which appear on official maps; and/or Streets with incomplete construction (curbs, storm drainage, sidewalks, etc.).

Through site visits and review of the City’s Tax Assessment maps, the Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers identified twenty-five paper streets along the Buffalo River in March 2001.

For each identified paper street, the study outlines location and condition, the process by which it was dedicated and in what year and the status of the City’s interests. We have also included a preliminary recommendation. The Friends encourage the City to further develop these recommendations as part of a larger public discussion regarding use of the River.

Recommendations The Buffalo River paper streets are an important public asset. The street right of ways should be retained for public uses, particularly public access to the River, and permanently protected through deed restriction or park designation, where appropriate.

All but one of the streets investigated lead directly to the Buffalo River, terminating at the River’s Bank. In 22 cases, the streets are located directly adjacent to public open space land owned by the City of Buffalo or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In these cases, it is recommended that the streets be incorporated into Buffalo River greenway development plans and permanently protected through deed restriction or park designation.

Two other streets, Katherine and Ensign streets do not abut public property but lead to the shoreline near the Katherine Peninsula rookery. The use of the streets to provide access to the southern end of the peninsula should be investigated.

Only one of the streets is appropriately situated to accommodate vehicular traffic. The undeveloped segment of Seward between Pontiac and Ogden should be investigated for development. Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 215 Appendix D D.2 INTRODUCTION The Buffalo River Paper Streets document reports on the paper streets that are located along the Buffalo River. A paper street is defined as:

Streets never built which appear on official maps; and/or Streets with incomplete construction (curbs, storm drainage, sidewalks, etc.).

As per the Buffalo River Paper Streets Contract between the Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers and the City of Buffalo, the Friends have prepared the following products:

A list and description of “paper streets” along the Buffalo River within the City of Buffalo; A record of the City’s acquisition of each street and current property interests; Recommendations for use and development.

This report outlines the Friends’ methodology, information gathered and preliminary proposals for each street. A map of the streets and summary chart has been provided.

D.3 METHEDOLOGY Through site visits and review of the City’s Tax Assessment maps, the Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers identified twenty-six paper streets along the Buffalo River in March 2001.

To determine the potential of developing public access to the River via the paper streets the project team examined street location, condition, ownership of adjacent properties, method of acquisition and the status of the City’s property holdings (a full title search and legal review should be conducted for each individual street as redevelopment occurs). The project team began its research by reviewing the City Engineer’s Record of Streets housed in the City Surveyor’s Office. Next, the team examined City and County records of Council proceedings, deeds and subdivision plan/cover maps for each street segment.

According to the document search, the identified paper streets were dedicated for use as public streets through one of four processes: Conveyance from the property owner to the City of Buffalo through Warranty Deed (8 streets); Eminent domain (2 streets); Council Resolution (2); Identification on an officially filed subdivision plan/cover map (14 streets); both through eminent domain and purchase (1 street).

The City of Buffalo owns all but three paper street properties without restriction. In the remaining cases (Old Bailey South, Avondale and Leamington) the City’s interests are limited to the use of the property for public street purposes. The City has already sold an interest in Old Bailey south notwithstanding the restriction.

The following section details the various conveyance methods.

216 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix D D.3.1 Warranty Deed The City of Buffalo obtained the property for eight of the paper streets through Warranty Deed. A Warranty Deed is warranted by the seller against all defects in title including those attributable to the grantor’s predecessors.

In the conveyance of Weimar, Cable and Barnard there is a reference to Cover 291 but the deed does not outline the use of the property. However, in the following five instances the use of the property was clearly specified in the deed:

The seller of the south section of Old Bailey restricted its use to “be and remain forever a public street of [the City]”; The conveyance of Avondale included the language “to be used as a public highway and avenue in common”; The conveyance of Leamington Place included the language “for the sole purpose and use as a public street”; and The seller of 46’ of the north section of Old Bailey intended for the use to be used for the construction of the Bailey Avenue sewer overflow.

In the cases of Old Bailey south, Avondale and Leamington, the clear limiting language of the conveyance makes the transferred property interest a defeasible fee. That is, the grantor may assert his interest in the property if the limiting language is violated.

For Old Bailey north, the language does not limit the property’s use to a sewer overflow. Hence the City’s use of the overlying property for a street or other use is not restricted.

D.3.2 Eminent Domain Two streets were taken by the City for use through eminent domain: Katherine Street and a 20’ section of Bailey Avenue north of the Buffalo River. Katherine was taken for use as a street, Bailey was taken for use in preparing a sewer overflow. Just compensation was ordered paid in both cases.

D.3.3 Council Resolution Smith Street was taken via Council Resolution in fee for use as public streets, having been used for the same for more than ten years. According to NY CPLR Article 2 Section 212 an action to recover real property must be commenced within ten years. Hence, if a property owner did not assert his interest in the property underlying the streets for ten or more years, the City’s council resolution simply asserted the City’s intention to retain the property through the doctrine of adverse possession.

South Street was taken via Council Resolution in 1866. Additional information regarding the acquisition method must be obtained from proceeding records.

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 217 Appendix D D.3.4 Subdivision/Cover Map & City Charter According to Chapter 15 Section 10 of the City Charter:

When lands have been marked upon the maps of the department of assessment and taxation as a public street, avenue, alley or square and a map or plot thereof has been filed in the Erie county clerk’s office by the owner showing the same as a public street, avenue, alley or square since January first, eighteen hundred eighty, or at any time thereafter or hereafter, and the same have been exempted from taxation at the instance or with the consent of the owner, or where adjacent lands of the same owner have been conveyed and taxed, bounding on any such street, avenue, alley or square, the same shall be deemed to have been duly dedicated and accepted as such.

Fourteen paper streets were identified on subdivision cover maps filed with the Erie County Clerk’s office and duly incorporated in the City of Buffalo tax assessment maps. All but one of the streets were featured on maps filed after January 1, 1880.

The cover map for Ensign (No. 779) was filed in 1865 – prior to the City’s “deemed dedicated” date.

D.4 THE PAPER STREETS

D.4.1 Map The Buffalo River paper streets are illustrated on the following map (Figure D.1) in red. For illustration purposes the map focuses on streets from South Street east. Maps illustrating the street locations and profiles of individual streets, including photographs, are presented in the Appendix.

Figure D.1

218 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix D D.4.2 Summary The following chart summarizes Buffalo River paper street names, undeveloped segments, method of dedication and year.

Status Street Segment Method Condition Year of City’s Recommendation Name Examined Dedicated Interests 1 South St From Ohio Gravel; currently Council 1866 Unclear Incorporate right Street west being used by GL Resolution of way in DEC to Buffalo Paper Fibers Ohio Street Boat River Launch/Public Access Site 2 Katherine From Blocked by guard Eminent 1854 Fee simple Investigate using O’Connell, rail, covered Domain streets as public Inc with vegetation access points to property City of Buffalo south to property on Buffalo south-eastern end River of peninsula 3 Ensign From Access to Buffalo Cover 1863 Dedicated Katherine Sandblasting; #779 street east to otherwise Buffalo indistinguishable River as a public street 4 Smith From St. Gravel access Council 1855/ Fee Redevelop as an Street Stephen’s road to DEC Resolution 1890 simple via access road to Place south Smith Street site prescriptive the DEC site as to Buffalo easement per Buffalo River River Greenway Plan Smith Street Site Concept (Map S-8) with appropriate signage 5 “Old” Bailey From Bailey Sold to Iron Warranty 1893 Defeasible Use remaining Ave (S) north to Mountain Deed fee portion to mark Cazenovia Records Corp for entrance to Old Creek/BR use in expansion Bailey Woods 6 “Old” Bailey From Bailey Property Eminent 1890/ Fee simple Use street right Ave (N) south to features paved Domain & 1891 of way along Buffalo private access Warranty access road to River road for Mobil Deed screen junkyard Oil/Junkyard and Mobil Oil as property; closed per Buffalo River to public traffic Greenway Plan Mongovan Park Site Concept (Map S-14)

Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 219 Appendix D

7 Pomeroy From 6 Unfinished Cover 1893 Dedicated Abandon street Pomeroy roadway serving #524 street and merge with west to up to 4 and 6 school property Southside Pomeroy subject to creation HS of public pathway 8 Dunbar From Gravel; currently Cover 1893 Dedicated along River Pomeroy storing road #524 street north to construction Buffalo piles River 9 Jordan From Undeveloped Cover # 1891 Dedicated Place Seneca & covered with 437 street St east to fields Buffalo River 10 Bank Place From Undeveloped Cover # 1891 Dedicated Jordan Pl & covered with 437 street north to fields Buffalo River 11 Mayback From Undeveloped Cover # 1891 Dedicated Place Jordan Pl & covered with 437 street north to fields Buffalo River 12 Cutter From Undeveloped Cover # 1891 Dedicated Place Jordan Pl & covered with 437 street north to fields Buffalo River 13 Avon Place From Partially Cover # 1891 Dedicated Seneca developed as 437 street St east to access road for Buffalo Leamington River garages 14 Leamington From 57 Undeveloped Warranty 1896 Defeasible Place Leamington & covered with Deed fee east to fields Buffalo River 15 Avondale From 121 Past houses, Warranty 1892 Defeasible Incorporate Avondale undeveloped but Deed fee streets into Seneca east to mowed Bluffs Wetland Buffalo Restoration site River design subject 16 Juniata From 119 Past houses, Warranty 1897 Fee simple to permanent Juniata east partially mowed Deed protection of to Buffalo & fields Buffs project River area through deed restriction or public park designation.

220 Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan Appendix D

17 Weimar From 69 Blockaded and Warranty 1890 Fee simple Protect land for Weimar covered with Deed public access south to brush and fields by expanding Buffalo Stachowski River Park to include 18 Cable From 7 Ends at Warranty 1890 Fee simple street right of Cable south undeveloped Deed ways and City to Buffalo field area of park owned adjacent River – visible trails properties; use through park waterfront fields 19 Barnard From 9 Undeveloped to Warranty 1890 Fee simple parcels to create Barnard Creek- features Deed Riverfront trail south to small parking Buffalo area/turn around River 20 Fenton From 122 Currently Cover 1892- Dedicated Fenton disturbed by #422,480 1893 street south to storm sewer Buffalo construction River 21 Holly From 41 Interrupted Cover 1892- Dedicated Seward by house at 41 #422,480 1893 street south to Seward, behind Buffalo covered with River fields 22 Willet From Undeveloped Cover 1892- Dedicated Develop as access Seward & covered with #422,480 1893 street road to trail south to fields from Willet to Buffalo Stachowski Park River 23 Seward From Blockaded from Cover 1892- Dedicated Investigate Ogden east Ogden, covered #422,480 1893 street propriety of to Pontiac with field brush constructing street 24 Pontiac From Undeveloped Cover 1892- Dedicated Use street right Seward & covered with #422,480 1893 street of ways and City south to fields owned adjacent Buffalo properties to River create public access park subject to 25 Pierce From Undeveloped Cover 1892- Dedicated permanent Seward & covered with #422,480 1893 street protection of south to fields project area Buffalo through deed River restriction or public park designation.

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All GIS Data provided by Joe Ghosen, South Arrow, and Lynda Schneekloth. All aerial images obtained through Google Earth. Buffalo River Greenway Vision & Implementation Plan 225