Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is proud to partner with the City of Buffalo and the Friends of Broderick Park to further engage with history, enhance the beauty, and encourage our community to enjoy everything Broderick Park can offer.
Friends of Broderick Park
Under the guidance of the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Arts Commission,
the Friends of Broderick Park have an opportunity to share the deep-rooted human stories about survival, hope, resilience, and freedom that have made this public park a Historical National Landmark for the Underground Railroad through a Public Art Project funded by the City of Buffalo.
As the City of Buffalo and Friends of Broderick Park plan future phases of beautification and historical implementation, we would like to hear your input. What type of art would you like to see at Broderick Park? Who would like to honor? What themes, colors, sentiments would you like revealed? Do you think art should be looked at or do you think an interactive experience makes sense at Broderick Park? All opinions and thoughts are welcomed!
Voice Your Opinion
All good plans require the community’s voice and we want to know what kind of public art YOU would like to see in Broderick Park.
Please take the next few minutes to complete this short survey and share your thoughts about a future Friends of Broderick Park Public Art Implementation Project.
Check out the Friends of Broderick Park Facebook page for more updates and opportunities for dialogue. For any questions regarding the Public Art Project please contact Emerson Barr, Buffalo Arts Commission at ebarr@ch.ci.buffalo.ny.us.
Broderick Park Enhancements
Developing a Master Plan for an enhanced park that celebrates the Ferry District’s rich history, especially that associated with the Underground Railroad.
Serving as a memorial to the Underground Railroad, this extensive reconstruction at Broderick Park included a stage, amphitheater, gardens and improved walkways allowing new opportunities to access and enjoy our waterfront in a beautiful setting.
The Place
Broderick Park is a potential jewel in the City of Buffalo’s park system.
Located on the southern end of Unity Island, with primary access from the foot of West Ferry Street, it is steeped in international, national, and local history, including, perhaps most significantly, its association with the Underground Railroad. Today, Broderick Park is a popular local attraction along the Niagara River enjoyed by people for various leisure and recreation opportunities.
Partners
Friends of Broderick Park
Buffalo Quarters
City of Buffalo
Mayor Byron Brown
”Broderick Park, located on the Niagara River, is recognized as a terminus/crossing point of the Underground Railroad into Canada and is designated as a Network to Freedom site by the National Parks Service.
Parks & Trails New York
The Project
A consultant team worked diligently for Waterkeeper and the City of Buffalo and incorporated input from the citizen-based Friends of Broderick Park,
Buffalo Quarters Historical Society, and the general public to develop a master plan for the Park that memorializes the unique local history associated with the Underground Railroad.
The plan proposed additional green space, a re-worked parking layout, an enhanced concession area, an amphitheater and performance plaza, a new family gathering area and shelter, a great lawn and large event space, a contemplative garden, a ‘Freedom Walk’ to be incorporated throughout the site, and a re-routing of the Riverwalk to create safe separation of activities that enhance both the popular angling area and the multi-modal trailway on the west side of the park. See the proposed park plan below.
Project Timeline
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper received funding from the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
Consultant was hired to develop Master Plan for a construction budget of over $1 million.
Concurrently, the United States Army Corps of Engineers performed a habitat study along the eastern and western seawalls to better understand the existing conditions of the shoreline.
News & Events
2013 | "Crossing to Freedom Together, Honoring Our Ancestors"
Commemoration honoring Ms. Lillion Batchelor (known for staging re-enactments of African-Americans crossing the Niagara River to gain freedom in Canada) and the Buffalo Quarters Historical Society. Also served to rededicate Broderick Park in its newly built amphitheater and refurbished riverwalk. The Underground Railroad Task Force honored Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s dedication to Broderick Park as well. With park improvements almost complete, this was great opportunity to see this park activated with an important piece of local history!
2018 | Fish Consumption Signage
Supplemental grant funding allowed Waterkeeper to design and install informational signage at a rich shore fishing spot where many people fish to feed their families. The sign is supplemental to Waterkeeper’s larger fish consumption campaign which consists of multi-language publications and translator-based outreach to help individuals make the best fish consumption decisions for their families and to celebrate our fishery.
