Buffalo Harbor State Park Master Plan and Park Development 

Overview

Location:
Buffalo, NY
Client:
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Quick Facts:

340-acre waterfront park and Buffalo’s first New York State Park

Includes 1,000-slip marina, beach access, and recreational amenities

Transformed former brownfield site with integrated environmental design solutions

Fisher Associates’ Landscape Architecture Studio developed a master plan for Buffalo Harbor State Park, transforming a former industrial waterfront into a vibrant public destination along Lake Erie. Spanning 340 acres, the park features a marina, recreational amenities, and expansive open space that support year-round use. The design addressed complex brownfield conditions, including contaminated soils, through innovative solutions such as integrating a clay cap within landscape berms. Enhancements included a destination playground, picnic areas, and a redesigned marina breakwall with pedestrian access, seating, and fishing opportunities. Fisher also prepared phased construction documents to minimize disruptions while enabling new programming, helping establish the park as a key driver in Buffalo’s waterfront revitalization.

Photos © James Cavanaugh Photography | cavphoto.com

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