Front Park

Originally called The Front, Front Park was once the most popular recreational destination in the city and a prominent Buffalo icon. As with Delaware Park and MLK Jr. Park, Olmsted himself chose the location, but with a different vision in mind.

Designed: 1868 – 1870 by Olmsted & Vaux  |  Location: Porter & Busti Avenues

The chief feature of The Front was the semi-circular terrace designed to command a panoramic view of Lake Erie and the opening of the Niagara River. Here, Olmsted remarked, one could observe “a river effect such as can be seen, I believe, nowhere else — a certain quivering of the surface and a rare tone of color, the result of the crowding upward of the lake waters as they enter the deep portal of the Niagara.”

With this prospect of water and infinity as background, the terrace, Olmsted thought, would also be an impressive setting for public ceremonies. “The root of all my work,” he said, “has been an early respect for and enjoyment of scenery.” Olmsted and Vaux’s plan also incorporated a large field for baseball and other sports. The park once included the adjacent grounds of Fort Porter, now the site of the Peace Bridge plaza. Learn more about your Buffalo Olmsted Park System at the official map & guide.

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Self-Guided Mobile Audio Tour of Olmsted’s West Side

Experience Olmsted’s West Side with the free self-guided mobile audio tour. From Front Park to Colonial Circle, there are several points of interest to learn from.

West Side Audio Tour presented by Rich Products

Rich Products

Learn more

Support Your Parks

Our members are the core of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. With your unrestricted gift to the annual fund, our dedicated team takes care of the 850 acres of Olmsted green spaces in Buffalo. We count on your financial support to keep the Olmsted Parks clean, open spaces where Buffalonians continue to play, exercise and enjoy nature together.

Planning Your Visit

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Amenities

Playground
Picnic tables
Picnic shelter
Soccer field
Tennis courts

Points of Interest

The Terrace (beautiful view of Lake Erie)
The Perry Monument

Rental Information

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is responsible for the rental of the Parkside Lodge, the fenced picnic area next to the Parkside Lodge, croquet courts in Delaware Park, the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park and the Crotty Casino in Cazenovia Park.

The Marcy Casino and Rose Garden in Delaware Park is rented through Magnolia Events.

FINDING YOUR WAY TO THE PARK