Outer Harbor Development

Why It Matters

The Outer Harbor is one of the largest stretches of open urban waterfront in the Great Lakes, just minutes from downtown. Canalside’s success helped lead to the creation of Buffalo Harbor State Park in 2014, but much of the Outer Harbor remains underused, and Gallagher Beach, the city’s only public beach, does not allow swimming because of water quality concerns. This plan would make the Outer Harbor a world-class public waterfront.

Vision

The Buffalo Niagara Outer Harbor will be transformed into a world-class waterfront parkspace, stretching from the mouth of the Buffalo River to the city’s southern border, serving as a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable destination for residents and visitors. This expansive park will feature large marinas, beaches, hiking trails, and a wide array of recreational amenities, fostering recreation, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality while celebrating the region’s natural beauty and maritime heritage.

Strategic Objectives

1. Create a Vast Waterfront Parkspace: Develop a continuous, interconnected park system along the Outer Harbor, prioritizing green spaces that enhance community access to Lake Erie.
2. Build Large Marinas: Construct state-of-the-art marinas to support boating, tourism, and economic activity, positioning Buffalo as a premier Great Lakes destination.
3. Establish Beaches and Recreational Amenities: Create accessible beaches and diverse recreational facilities to promote active lifestyles and year-round engagement.
4. Develop Extensive Hiking Trails: Design a network of trails that connect the parkspace to regional greenways, encouraging exploration and environmental appreciation.
5. Ensure Sustainability and Resilience: Integrate green infrastructure and climate-resilient design to protect the waterfront and enhance ecological health.

Key Strategies

1. Create a Vast Waterfront Parkspace

• Unified Park Design: Develop a vast waterfront park from the Buffalo River to the city’s southern border, integrating green spaces, plazas, and natural habitats to create a cohesive urban oasis.
• Public Access Prioritization: Ensure universal access through multiple entry points, free admission, and inclusive design features like accessible pathways and sensory gardens.
• Cultural and Historical Elements: Incorporate public art, interpretive signage, and spaces honoring Buffalo’s industrial and maritime history, such as restored grain elevators or shipyard relics.
• Community Programming: Host year-round events, including festivals, markets, and wellness programs, to activate the park and foster community engagement.

2. Build Large Marinas

• Marina Development: Construct two large-scale marinas capable of accommodating 2,500+ boats, with facilities for recreational boating, fishing charters, and yacht tourism.
• Economic Integration: Partner with private operators to develop marina-adjacent amenities, such as restaurants, retail, and boat rental services, to boost local commerce.
• Sustainable Operations: Equip marinas with eco-friendly features like electric boat charging stations, waste recycling systems, and water treatment to minimize environmental impact.
• Regional Connectivity: Link marinas to regional and international boating networks, promoting Buffalo as a Great Lakes boating hub and attracting tourists from Canada and beyond.

3. Establish Beaches and Recreational Amenities

• Public Beaches: Create at least three public beaches with clean, safe swimming areas, supported by regular water quality testing and lifeguard services.
• Recreational Facilities: Develop amenities including playgrounds, sports fields, outdoor fitness stations, kayak launches, and fishing piers to cater to diverse interests and age groups.
• Seasonal Programming: Offer winter activities like ice skating or cross-country skiing and summer programs like beach volleyball and paddleboarding to ensure year-round use.
• Inclusive Design: Ensure all recreational amenities meet universal design standards, providing accessible equipment and facilities for people with disabilities.

4. Develop Extensive Hiking Trails

• Trail Network: Build a 10-mile network of multi-use trails connecting the Outer Harbor to the Niagara River Greenway, regional parks, and downtown Buffalo, with options for hiking, biking, and jogging.
• Ecological Integration: Design trails to showcase native flora and fauna, with educational signage highlighting the region’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.
• Trailhead Amenities: Provide trailheads with parking, restrooms, bike racks, and digital wayfinding kiosks to enhance user experience and accessibility.
• Community Involvement: Engage local residents and schools in trail maintenance and stewardship programs to foster a sense of ownership and environmental responsibility.

5. Ensure Sustainability and Resilience

• Green Infrastructure: Integrate rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable surfaces to manage stormwater and protect Lake Erie from runoff pollution.
• Climate-Resilient Design: Elevate critical infrastructure, such as marina docks and beach facilities, to withstand flooding and extreme weather events.
• Renewable Energy: Power park amenities with solar panels and wind turbines, targeting 100% renewable energy use for park operations by 2035.
• Habitat Restoration: Restore wetlands and native plantings along the waterfront to enhance biodiversity and support migratory bird and fish populations.

Implementation Plan

• Short-Term (1-2 Years):
  • Complete a master plan for the 200-acre parkspace, incorporating community and stakeholder input.
  • Begin construction of one marina with 200 boat slips and adjacent retail spaces.
  • Develop one public beach and two miles of hiking trails, including a trailhead with amenities.
  • Launch a pilot program for community events, hosting 10 events to test park activation strategies.
• Medium-Term (3-5 Years):
  • Complete 50% of the parkspace, including two public squares, one additional beach, and five miles of trails.
  • Finish the second marina and expand boating services, targeting 50,000 annual visitors.
  • Implement green infrastructure across 50% of the park, including stormwater management systems.
  • Establish partnerships with local organizations for year-round programming and trail stewardship.
• Long-Term (5-10 Years):
  • Complete the full 200-acre parkspace, with all planned beaches, trails, and recreational amenities operational.
  • Achieve 1 million annual visitors to the Outer Harbor, with marinas contributing $50 million to the local economy.
  • Ensure 90% of park facilities use renewable energy and meet climate resilience standards.
  • Position Buffalo Niagara’s Outer Harbor as a top 10 North American waterfront destination by 2035.

Metrics for Success

• Park Access: Ensure 90% of Buffalo Niagara residents live within a 15-minute drive or transit ride of the Outer Harbor parkspace by 2035.
• Economic Impact: Generate $100 million in annual economic activity from marina operations, tourism, and park-related businesses by 2035.
• Recreational Engagement: Achieve 500,000 annual users of beaches, trails, and recreational amenities by 2030.
• Environmental Health: Reduce waterfront runoff pollution by 25% and restore 50 acres of wetlands by 2035.

Conclusion

The Outer Harbor can become the region’s front yard: a vast, public, sustainable waterfront that celebrates Buffalo’s maritime heritage and draws people from across the region and beyond. This plan is part of the PAC’s Turnaround Agenda and our Finish the Waterfront campaign.