Canalside: the Renaissance of Buffalo’s Historic Waterfront

Last month, I flew from California to Western New York to visit my brother and his amazing family.  We crammed a lot of living into a short visit; some days we were all together and other days it would be just a few of us.  My brother, Glenn, still went to work during my visit plus studied for finals (he’s pursuing a second Master’s degree), as did his two oldest children, Erin and Ryan, who were camp counselors for the summer at a camp for kids.

My sister-in-law, Missy, had a summer break from her job as a school teacher and middle daughter, Bizzy, was on hiatus from soccer.  Molly, the youngest, was in summer school. So, needless the say, they are a busy, active family with many moving parts!

While I loved spending time with the entire family all at once, it was equally gratifying to spend special time with each of them as their schedules flexed, collided and converged!

One afternoon, a few of us went to Buffalo’s Canalside.  Me, Missy, Bizzy and Molly to be precise.  I’d not been to Buffalo’s waterfront since my last visit around 10 years ago.  What a change since then!  Rebranded “Canalside”, Buffalo’s historic waterfront has undergone a Renaissance, a rebirth, a resurgence.

With more than 1,000 events and activities planned throughout the year, there is something for everyone:

• artisan markets
• concerts
• Shakespeare performances
• art classes
• puppet shows
• lawn and tabletop games

Bizzy challenging herself with one of the tabletop board games.

Molly’s turn as Bizzy looks on…

• yoga, Tai Chai, Zumba and more…
• kayak and bike tours
• sailing and fishing classes
• walking tours
• an archaeological dig and viewing
• dance performances
• the history of Buffalo interpreted in musical and theatre performances
• sailing excursions on the Queen City Ferry, the Spirit of Buffalo, Buffalo Harbor Cruises and more…

And, if that isn’t enough, several museums are nearby with the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park front and center along Canalside!

This floating maritime museum has several decommissioned US Naval vessels including the following:

• USS Little Rock – a Cleveland-class cruiser
• USS The Sullivan – a Fletcher-class destroyer
• USS Croaker – a submarine

In addition to these US Naval vessels, this museum has vehicles and aircraft on display.

If museums, concerts, classes and sailing aren’t on your “bucket list”, you can pull up one of the many colorful Adirondack chairs lining Canalside and sit a spell…

Even the birds get in on the act, sitting on park benches that line Canalside, too…

Actually, they’re waiting for food scraps!  There are several food vendors at Canalside!

Buffalo was a thriving “port” city in the early 1800’s.  With the construction of the Erie Canal in 1825, a major inland all-water passageway from the Great Lakes through Buffalo to the ports of New York City, Buffalo was at its heyday.

Railroads changed the way goods, products and people were transported in the 19th century and Buffalo’s economy stalled.  The redevelopment efforts of this historic waterfront, now known as Canalside, have made Buffalo’s waterfront a family-friendly, vibrant tourist area and a destination.

Adjacent to Canalside is the Erie Basin Marina Park.

These carved wood statues line the sidewalk at the Erie Basin Marina.  In October 2006, a huge snowstorm wrecked havoc on Western New York and more than 57,000 trees were lost.  Many of these trees were hundreds of years old.  A non-profit organization was born, Carvings for a Cause, to repurpose the trunks of many of the trees.  Carved by Rick Pratt, the photo above includes (from left to right):

Thomas Edison – carved from a 150-year-old Silver Maple, inventor Edison was instrumental in harnessing the power of Niagara Falls.  Buffalo, known as the City of Lights, was one of the first American cities to use electric force in domestic applications.

The Bald Eagle – an iconic American symbol, it is carved from a 115-year-old Chinese Elm.

DeWitt Clinton – carved from a 150-year-old Silver Maple, Clinton was a US Senator and Governor of New York during the 19th century and the primary force in the construction of the Erie Canal.

Frederick Law Olmstead – carved from a 100-year-old Silver Maple, Olmstead, a famous landscape architect, created both Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City as well as several parks in Western New York.

George Roberts Jr. – carved from a 125-year-old Silver Maple, Roberts, a decorated WWII veteran, owned and operated a local funeral service for generations.

The Buffalo – carved from a 100-year-old Chinese Elm.

Molly and Bizzy on the treetrunk carving known as The Buffalo Lighthouse, carved from a 150-year-old Chinese Elm.  Don’t you agree that these treetrunk carvings are a good way to honor these once spectacular felled trees?

A few weeks after my return to California, Bizzy and Molly attended their high school homecoming dance.  They sent me pictures of them all gussied up…

They clean up real nice, don’t you think?  Just like Canalside:  the Renaissance of Buffalo’s Historic Waterfront {grin}.

Tootles,

 

Related Posts:

(other posts about New York)

• New York State of Mind
• Missy’s Two Tomato Pasta Salad
• Chautauqua Institution:  Embracing Heritage, Culture and History
• Erin’s Iced Sugar Cookie Cutouts
• The Virtuoso
• Bizzy’s Mini Chocolate Cupcakes with Erin’s Mocha Toffee Frosting
• Genesee Country Village:  Where the Past Comes Alive
• Missy’s Fresh Spinach and Tortellini Salad
• Buffalo Chicken Wings Dip